Need for skilled laborers outlined
Educators, developers take tour of construction sites
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » A conversation centered on tradespeople Wednesday afternoon as BOCES counselors from across New York state gathered at the fourth floor on 18 Division St.
Local developer Sonny Bonacio spoke about the need for skilled labor to nearly 20 Career and Technical Education counselors as part of an annual industry tour at Bonacio Construction, encouraging counselors about the financial opportunities available before touring construction sites in the city.
“There’s an opportunity. It’s not little money. It is real money,” Bonacio told the counselors. “It’s anywhere between $50,000 and $75,000.”
Holly MacArthur organized the event. The industry tour each year provides insight for the counselors across the state.
“There’s a definite shortage of skilled workers in these fields. At our centers in Career and Technical education we have programs that train the students and there are students that are ready
to work right when they get out of high school,” MacArthur said. “We’re training students for these jobs where there’s a shortage of workers.”
Bruce Hoffman, placement coordinator at F. Donald Myers Education Center in Saratoga Springs, said students completed 230 internships this year, ranging from cosmetology to welding, through the Career and Technical Education program offered to juniors and seniors through BOCES. Most of the internships are reserved for seniors.
“These internships are everything. We couldn’t do what we do without the business and industry being as a kind and generous as they are with us. It really helps us to prove what we are doing in the classroom relates to the real world of work. That’s an important part to us,” Hoffman said. “...They’re networking, and they’re getting to know who’s who. They’re really stepping up their work ethic, and that’s a huge part.”
Joining Bonacio Wednesday in the discussion was B.J. Kozlowski who graduated from vocational-technical school in 1999. He’s now a partner with B&B Plumbing & Heating. Kozlowski interned his junior and senior year of high school.
“It was a big deal for me. I made a decision before I even went [to vo-tech]. I had done a couple summers doing this back when I was still in school. I had already made the decision that this was what I wanted to do,” Kozlowski said. “It actually gave the opportunity to get a two-year jump start out in the field, and pick what path I wanted to go down. It was huge for me.”
Kozlowski oversees the HVAC division at B&B Plumbing & Heating.
B&B Plumbing & Heating have about 27 employees. Kozlowski explained there’s an absolute need as they add between two and four employees a year.
“We’re not getting any smaller,” Kozlowski said.
One of the areas Bonacio mentioned as being an area of need is welding. Bonacio himself said he’s looking to hire four welders right now.
Bonacio encouraged the counselors to explain to students business and industry leaders are looking for students with the “right attitude, work ethic, eye con-