Career Fair Connects Students with Employers

Jasen Kimball and Jacon Letko speaking to a representative from Callanan Industries during the career fair.

COBLESKILL - The final Capital Region BOCES career fair of the 2023-24 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 June 6 at SUNY Cobleskill. More than two dozen employers ranging from Milton CAT to Kenworth Northeast Group, Casella Waste Systems Inc. and the New York State Police.

“I am going to Lincoln Tech in the fall, but I am looking for a second job this summer, maybe in construction, that I can help pay for college with,” said Jacob Letko, a Building Trades senior from Cobleskill.

Classmate Jasen Kimball said he is exploring career options while awaiting the results of scheduled interviews.

“I have a meeting with the laborers [union] tomorrow and I am just looking at what other options I have,” said the Schalmont teen.

Business representatives said they value the opportunities to build their workforce.

“We have to turn down jobs because we don’t have enough workers, so it’s important for us to work with BOCES to find new workers,” said Joshua Horton, a representative of Albany-based heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration firm CA Group.

Katie Carey, CEO of Carey Electric, was also recruiting BOCES students on Thursday.

“We are excited to work with BOCES and eager to cultivate our relationship and spread the word about the value of jobs in the trades,” she said.

Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said the event was a good opportunity for students and businesses.

“Our career fairs provide opportunities for students and businesses to network and formulate relationships that benefit both,” she said.

Capital Region BOCES hosts several career fairs throughout the school year while working with more than 300 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.