CRCS Senior Credits BOCES with 100 Supporting Him

Marc Becker with Trent Swartout.

SCHOHARIE – A Capital Region BOCES senior said he has had all the support he needed in his career and technical education program to succeed no matter what path he chooses in life.

Trent Swartout is graduating from the Building Trades program on the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus and will attend the Electrical Construction Maintenance (ECM) program at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC).

The Cobleskill-Richmondville High School senior said he envisions himself stepping into roles that require expertise in both heavy equipment/construction operations and electrical systems, such as a construction project manager or an electrical technician.

“Having the experience of both of these programs would make me an extremely valuable asset to employers but will also allow me to make meaningful contributions to construction projects,” he added.

Swartout said his fascination with construction work started at an early age and was nurtured by family members – nearly all of whom work in the industry. But BOCES, he said, showed him the full breadth of options he had in the industry.

“It wasn’t until I joined the Heavy Equipment/ Construction program [now split into the Heavy Equipment Operation, Maintenance & Repair program and the Building Trades program] that my eyes were completely opened to all the options I had available to me,” he said.

Swartout said his classmates, educators, and everyone he met at BOCES supported his endeavors and interests.

“You 100% learn a lot of things that are useful and you have 100% of everyone here at BOCES,” the CRCS senior said. “This program has been nothing short of transformative.”

Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said Swartout is a stellar student and citizen.

“Trent demonstrates commitment, leadership responsibility and an excellent work ethic on a daily basis. Trent enjoys learning and plans to further his knowledge in the ECM program at HVCC,” she said.

Offered on the Schoharie and Albany campuses, the Building Trades program is training approximately 90 students from more than a dozen different school districts this year. For more information on the program, visit https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/building-trades/.