Students at the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center have joined their peers across the nation to celebrate national Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®.

The Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center educates nearly 1,000 students from school districts throughout Ulster County and its surrounding area. Throughout the month of February, Ulster BOCES is highlighting the students—who are the next generation of American workers— and the rigorous college-and work-ready educations they are receiving through a career and technical education (CTE).

“Students enrolled in CTE programs are the future backbone of the United States economy,” says Ulster BOCES District Superintendent, Charles V. Khoury, Ed.D. “These students are bright, hard-working, future-motivated learners.”

Nationwide, the average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93%, compared to an average national graduation rate of 80%. The graduation rate of Ulster County students enrolled in Ulster BOCES CTE courses is higher, reaching 97% in 2017-2018 year. 

“Career and Technical Education Month shines a national spotlight on the rigor and relevance CTE courses offer to students. These programs are gaining popularity across the nation because people are realizing the enormous contributions they offer to the future workforce of our nation and even globally,” said Amy Storenski, principal. “Our programs are all designed to meet current labor needs. We work closely with local business and industry leaders to ensure our students are learning current industry practices using modern technology. Students leave our programs ready for either college or careers and have the skills to be successful employees and future leaders.”

Ulster County students have access to more than two-dozen career areas ranging from culinary arts, healthcare, engineering, robotics, automotive, welding, aviation, education, technology, graphic arts, and drone programs, to name just a few. Upon successful completion of coursework, most programs allow students to earn college credits while in high school, and some qualify students for industry-related licenses and certifications.

Nationwide, CTE encompasses 93% of high school students and nearly 8 million individuals seeking postsecondary certificates or associate degrees in the CTE area.

In addition to helping close the nationwide skills gap, CTE prepares students for high-wage, high-demand career fields and is a major part of the solution to a myriad of national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness, and massive layoffs. At a time when opportunity for employment is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring that students are equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.

On March 4, school districts across the county are hosting a field trip to Ulster BOCES for their sophomore students who might be interested in enrolling in CTE courses in their junior year. Students should see their guidance counselors for more information.

Visit our Ulster BOCES Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages daily and join us in celebrating the students’ successes. If you are an alumni who has achieved success, we want to hear from you! Tell your story and tag us!

For more information, call 331-6680, visit www.ulsterboces.org/future, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ulsterboces and on Twitter @UlsterBOCES.

Come see for yourself!

The media is invited to visit our Port Ewen site for a tour and to learn about the many educational training opportunities available to area students. If you want to get an up-close look at our programs and speak with students and teachers, please contact us to schedule a visit. If you have never had the opportunity to visit our classrooms, we urge you to visit us. Please call Tammy Cilione at 845.255.1400, ext. 1278 or email her to arrange a tour.