By: Robert Callender, Vice President
On November 15 I participated in an information session for parents, students and school districts in upstate New York to raise awareness about the benefits of the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School Program.
Over 150 students and parents attended the session hosted by the Ballston Spa Central School District and Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC). It took place in Malta, NewYork at HVCC’s Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative and Renewable Technologies (TEC-SMART) which is in NYSERDA’s Saratoga Technology + Energy Park.
Now in its second year, the Clean Technologies & Sustainable Industries Early College High School Program allows area high school students to study energy technology and earn up to 25 college credits from HVCC during their junior and senior years while completing their high school diplomas.
The agenda for the evening included presentations by students that are currently enrolled in the program and testimonials from parents of students that have graduated from the program. Opening remarks were be provided by HVCC President Dr. Andrew Matonak and Ballston Spa Central School District Superintendent Joseph P. Dragone.
Program overviews and updates were presented by Phil White, Dean of the School of Business and School of Engineering and Industrial Technologies at HVCC, and Ballston Spa Central School District’s Assistant Superintendent Laurel Logan-King.
I provided an industry perspective on the state of the energy sector and the value of business, government and academia working together to educate and prepare today’s students for careers in the energy field.
What kinds of programs are available in your area to encourage young people to pursue energy and technology careers? Leave a comment below to share your stories, best practices and creative solutions.
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