DCS junior Ella Whitehead, who is currently studying Diesel Technology through the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, was recently selected to speak on a panel with other female students and professionals during Capital Region BOCES’ Women in the Trades event held March 5 BOCES Albany CTE campus.
The fifth annual event featured current female CTE students and graduates of the CTE Center who shared insights about their careers, encouraging students from local schools to pursue nontraditional career paths and help redefine gender norms in traditionally male-dominated fields.
During the panel discussion, Ella told the audience that her time in CTE has provided valuable skills she can add to her resume that will benefit her in the future, regardless of the career path she ultimately chooses.
“The most important part for me has been all of the opportunities that have come with it,” Whitehead said. “I’ve learned a lot of things and now I have a skill to work with. So if I ever have a diesel truck, then I know how to work on it. It’s just – it’s a cool thing. I love it.”
Joining Whitehead on the panel were Lydia Waage, a senior in the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation program from Cobleskill-Richmondville (CRCS); Stacey Fitzgerald, a Senior Supervisor of Gas Operations for National Grid; Elizabeth LaHart, a 2016 BOCES graduate who is a member of the UA Local 7, Plumbers and Steamfitters; Megan Emerich, an Electrical Trades senior from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake; and Manufacturing and Machining Technology senior Emma Weiland from Shenendehowa.
An untapped resource
According to Workwave, women are in demand as an untapped resource for skilled workers in trade jobs because there is a predicted shortage of the labor force and anticipated growth in job opportunities. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational employment projection expects such employment to grow by 8.4 million jobs.
In the construction industry, just 14% of the workforce identify as women, and an even smaller percentage of women–just 4%–are on the front lines of a job site, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
Many opportunities at Capital Region BOCES
Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said she takes pride in the work of the women students and graduates.
“We are proud to help such trailblazers achieve their dreams as they enter the trades in non-traditional career paths,” Liddle said.
Liddle, one of the organizers of the luncheon, said “we love encouraging young women to be trailblazers in whatever industry they are interested in.”
