Clearing a Path to a Bright Future at BOCES

SCHOHARIE -- Capital Region BOCES seniors Katelyn Burtt and Jayden Abeling take a break recently from clearing land on the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus.

The pair are among 39 students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Repair program and two of just a handful of women students who are challenging society’s gender norms while operating heavy equipment. The two-year program teaches students how to operate and maintain large construction-related equipment, such as backhoes, dozers, front-end loaders, and excavators. Students also learn how to diagnose and repair common issues with diesel engines and heavy machines.

Abeling and Burtt both plan to take their new-found skills right into the workforce.

“I want to be an equipment operator at the union at Callanan,” said Burtt.

Abeling is already considering job offers that would allow her to use the skills.

“Going to BOCES helps you to learn things and gain experience you would not otherwise learn and gives you opportunities few get when they graduate high school,” she said.