Labor Partner Hires BOCES Graduate During Campus Visit

SCHOHARIE – Capital Region BOCES administrators have long touted BOCES as a family always there for graduates to return to for assistance and that support was put on display recently at the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus.

Class of 2023 graduate Jared Crandell returned to the campus on Feb. 14 to be interviewed by a representative of the Bricklayer & Allied Craftworkers (BAC) Local 2 Union and ended up being hired by the union.

“It’s great. This is something I have wanted to do for a while” said Crandell.

Crandell was interviewed and hired by BAC Training Director Daren Gulliver, who was at the campus to lead a masonry training unit for current Building Trades students.

“There is a huge need in the (construction) industry right now. There are great opportunities for young people with masonry skills,” said Daren Gulliver, training director for the BAC.

Crandell has worked in construction since graduation while awaiting his turn to join the BAC. 

“Being a skilled craftsman and making a career out of it has been a dream of mine,” he said. “Now I get to live it.”

Capital Region BOCES has worked with the BAC and Upstate Masonry Institute to integrate masonry into its building and construction programs for at least four years and create a pipeline of workers into the masonry trades.

“We value their partnership and appreciate their willingness to share their knowledge and expertise and provide opportunities for our students and graduates,” said Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships.