Strong partnerships between education and industry are helping Ulster BOCES students gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to succeed in today's workforce.

Through collaborations with leading employers such as Snap-on, Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs provide young professionals with hands-on learning opportunities using industry-standard tools, technology, and equipment. These partnerships ensure that classroom instruction aligns with current workforce needs while exposing learners to real-world career pathways.

For industry partners, the relationship creates opportunities to help develop a pipeline of future talent. As businesses across many sectors face ongoing workforce shortages, collaboration with educational institutions has become increasingly important to preparing students for in-demand careers.

Young professionals enrolled at the Career Academies at iPark 87 benefit from direct connections to employers and exposure to the latest technologies used in their chosen fields. Whether pursuing careers in engineering, CNC machining, automotive technology, or other skilled trades, students gain practical experience that helps them transition from the classroom to the workplace.

Beyond technical skills, CTE programs emphasize professionalism, responsibility, and workplace readiness. Our young professionals learn the importance of maintaining equipment, working collaboratively, and developing the habits employers value in today's workforce.

The partnership between Ulster BOCES and Snap-on highlights the power of industry engagement in education. By working together, educators and employers can help ensure that students are prepared not only for their first job, but for long-term success in their careers.

As workforce demands continue to evolve, Ulster BOCES remains committed to building meaningful partnerships that provide students with relevant experiences, valuable industry connections, and opportunities to discover their potential.

Watch the video below to hear directly from students, educators, and industry partners about how these collaborations are helping shape the future workforce.