Nearly 600 high school juniors and seniors are learning the skills they need for in-demand careers at the HFM Career and Technical Education Center this school year.
The students come from all 11 high schools within the HFM BOCES region, including Amsterdam, Broadalbin-Perth, Canajoharie, Fonda-Fultonville, Fort Plain, Gloversville, Johnstown, Mayfield, Northville, Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville, and Wells.
HFM Career and Technical Education offers students an avenue for career exploration and enrichment through practical learning applications in programs like Construction Trades, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, New Visions Health Careers, Veterinary and Animal Science and more.
Kristina Marshall, Administrative Coordinator for HFM CTE, said that a significant number of the programs offered at the Career and Technical Center are at capacity and have wait lists this year.
“There are waiting lists for programs and I think it’s a testament of what our society and community needs,” said Marshall. “It’s such a resource for the region that we are able to provide students with these wonderful opportunities.”
According to CTE Principal Michael DiMezza, there was an increased demand for all programs this year, making the 2024-25 school year one of the largest groups ever at CTE.
“Students are looking for different opportunities today, and at CTE they are able to try different career paths before they choose college, career, or the military,” said DiMezza. “CTE opens some doors that they may not have known about prior to their enrollment with us,” he said.
New Visions Education student Isabella “Izzy” Armstrong chose to enroll at CTE because she has always wanted to be a teacher and the program will let her hone in on that interest.
“By the time I get out of here I will already have a head start on achieving my goal of becoming a teacher,” said Armstrong.
The Northville senior said she hopes to attend SUNY Oneonta next fall and would like to teach high school English in the future.
Canajoharie junior Kyla Walker says she decided to enroll in the Cosmetology program this year because of the creative freedom that comes with the program.
“You can make people feel better about themselves and it makes you feel better that you’re able to help the community and those around you,” she stated.
Walker hopes to become a licensed hairdresser someday and open her own salon.
Izzy Armstrong, second from left, is pictured in the New Visions Education classroom at HFM CTE. The Northville senior said she hopes to attend SUNY Oneonta next fall and would like to teach high school English in the future.
