MANUFACTURING WEEK
Local students participate in virtual event
QUEENSBURY& WILTON, N.Y. » Students of the Washington- Saratoga-WarrenHamilton-Essex BOCES Southern Adirondack Pathways in Technology Early College High School program recently heard from industry professionals as part of a virtual Manufacturing Week hosted in collaboration with SUNY Adirondack.
Manufacturing Day is a nationwide celebration of modern manufacturing that aims to inspire future manufacturers.
During a typical year, the local Manufacturing Day celebration involves interactive tabling, hands-on activities, and demonstrations by area STEAM and manufacturing businesses, SUNY Adirondack professors, and WSWHE BOCES instructors.
Although this year’ s Manufacturing Day looked different, the virtual format continues to present opportunities for student interaction and learning.
Nearly 100 high schoolers from area schools attended a virtual classroom including several videos and career-focused activities, which served as work toward their required program completion.
Following these assignments, the event culminated with a virtual business and industry partner panel discussion, featuring representatives from Espey Mfg., Global Foundries, Irving Tissue, Miller Mechanical Services& Doty Machine Works and Rasp Controls, Inc.
“Maintaining strong community ties and building partnerships is what this is all about,” Brené Choppa, WorkBased Learning Coordinator, Early College Career Academy & PTECH WSWHE BOCES, said in a press release. “Manufacturing day is a perfect example when we say that opportunities are endless for students interested in choosing ‘ Pathways in Technology’.
“Things look different this year, and that’s OK. We are being creative by bringing the industries to the students through virtual tours and activities. Each company provided us with the ability to make a direct connection to real-world, real-life employment within their company walls.
“I truly feel more connected virtually than I have touring the companies in person, and feel the students will enjoy what we have organized for them this year.”
During the recent panel discussion, held via Zoom, students were able to ask speakers about manufacturing careers and related educational pathways.
On the topic of hiring, panelists shared that when recruiting new employees they seek individuals with hands- on and problem-solving skills as well as soft skills and the ability to work well on a team.
The conversation also covered how the manufacturing industry has changed in recent years. While automation is increasing among manufacturing facilities, panelists said this does not mean jobs are being replaced. Rather, in some cases, more employees are needed as service technicians for the automated equipment.
The Southern Adirondack PTECH program, located on both SUNY Adirondack campuses in Queensbury and
Wilton, was created based on two industry sectors that have been experiencing unprecedented growth and expansion in the region. PTECH offers two pathways: Electrical Technology/Advanced Manufacturing and
IT Computer Networking.
Both programs are developed based on four core elements: industry credentials, acquisition of college credits that lead to an A.A.S. degree, work-based learning experiences, and industry-sector technology. These core elements drive curriculum and incorporate project-based learning. Students are dually enrolled in their high school and at SUNY Adirondack as non-matriculated students during their junior and senior years. During freshman and sophomore years, students will remain at their home school taking Project Lead the Way or technology courses.
When juniors and seniors, students will spend half their day onthe SUNYA diron dack campus with SUNY professors and BOCES Career and Technical Education instructors. The other half includes Regents level courses at their home school. Upon completion of their high school requirements, students then finish their degree requirements for their A.A.S. degree on the college campus.
One panelist, Jake Woods of Miller Mechanical Services& Doty Machine Works, spoke of his personal experience in the Pathways in Technology Early College High School program. “I loved the program. It gave me great hands-on experience,” Woods said, sharing how his internship turned into a full-time job.
Now, “I’m absorbing all of the ways of the company and how it works,” Woods continued, noting that he has learned the ropes of the company and is now preparing to enter a management position.
More information about the Washington- SaratogaWarren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES Southern Adirondack Pathways in Technology Early College High School program is available online at www.wswheboces.org/ page/ecca-ptech.