Luncheon, Panel at BOCES Seeks to Draw Female Students into Skilled Trades

ALBANY/SCHOHARIE -- Freshmen and sophomore female high school students from area school districts will take part TOMORROW in the annual Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center Women in the Trades Luncheon.

The annual event is designed to raise awareness of women in the trades and encourage young students to pursue their passion in the skilled trades.

This year's event will take place at 11:15 a.m. on March 5 at the Career and Technical Education Center - Albany Campus. 

A panel discussion and table-top discussion will feature current and former Career and Technical Education students, as well as other professional women in the trades.

Among those scheduled to take part are  Savannah Traverse, a 2024 graduate of the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation from Schoharie. She works for Jersen Construction Group and is a 3rd year Apprentice in the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 158 thanks to the connections she made and experience she gained at BOCES.

“The people [at BOCES], the opportunities they give you and the experiences you have together are amazing and prepare you well for your future,” she said.

Traverse will be joined by current female students pursuing careers in the trades, as well as others who work in the industry.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Capital Region BOCES is celebrating National Women in the Trades Month (March) with events. 

The event was honored in 2023 by the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) for its impact on the industry and students alike.