Schoharie-area Youth Connected with Careers, Employers Thanks to BOCES

SCHOHARIE - The third Capital Region BOCES career fair of the 2025-26 school year connected businesses in search of workers with students looking to expand their options and help their finances.

The Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center - Schoharie Campus Career Fair was held March 25 on the campus. More than 40 employers ranging from Milton CAT to the New York State Police, the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department and Martin Electric to the UA Local 7 Plumbers and Steamfitters union were present.

Business, government and union representatives said they value the opportunities to build their workforce.

“The turnout is great and the kids are eager, " said William Bailey, Assistant Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers.

Bailey added that working with BOCES is extremely important to the future of the trades.

“A lot of kids know what they want to do, but a lot don’t … When we can get into school and talk to them about a career in the skilled trades, it gets their brains moving in a direction that opens them up to a career in the trades,” he said.

Glenn Galkiewicz of Miller Transportation Group attended the March 25 career fair in Schoharie and the March 19 career fair in Albany. He said the students at both showed good qualities.

“The students are very outgoing and knowledgeable about what they are talking about,” he said. 

Students said they were able to connect with, and identify, future employers.

“Today was pretty sweet. I spoke with Carpenters Union [Local 291] and I am signing up with them and most likely going with LeChase Construction,” said Andrew Dennis, a Building Trades senior from Sharon Springs. “It’s great to know what I am doing after I graduate high school.”

“[The career fair] was good. I was able to make connections with the Local 158 and the sheriffs. I am hoping to get a job out of this,” added Charles Morin, a Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation student from Schalmont.

Oliver Simeon, a Building Trades senior from Middleburgh was energized by his networking at the event.

“This is awesome. It’s great. I spoke with a couple of companies and the laborer’s union, and I think I have some good connections,” he said.

Nancy Liddle, Managing Program Coordinator for Business & Community Partnerships at Capital Region BOCES, highlighted the significant impact of the event on both students and businesses.

“Our career fairs serve as a vital bridge, connecting students with industry leaders and professionals, fostering meaningful relationships that go beyond networking. These connections open doors for internships, mentorships, work-based learning, job shadowing and future career opportunities, benefiting both students and businesses alike. It's about creating pathways for growth, innovation and collaboration that pave the way for long-term success in our community and workforce.”

Capital Region BOCES hosts several career fairs throughout the school year while working with more than 500 business, union and education partners to fuel the regional and state economies. Through these partnerships, students can launch careers directly out of high school or land jobs that will help them pay for future educational opportunities. 

The first career fair of this school year was held March 2 for students in the Cosmetology program; another career fair for students on the Albany Career and Technical Education Center campus was conducted March 19. Yet another fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration students will be held April 2.