Work Trip

Here’s one way to get kids interested in the Trades.

“You can tell your parents you played real-life Minecraft,” masonry instructor Kyle Vimislik told a group of 5th graders who had just spent the past half hour building a section of a brick wall.

Two boys holding trowels 

Masonry was one of a number of stops 5th graders from Windsor made during a field trip to Broome-Tioga BOCES’ Career and Technical Excellence Center. The students got a first-hand look at fields such as heavy equipment operation, auto body repair, plumbing, and cosmetology. 

“There is a skills gap in the nation and our area, and it’s getting worse,” said Matt Sheehan, principal of the Broome-Tioga BOCES Center for Career Technical Excellence. “How do we get kids interested in the Trades? Bring them here. Especially when they are in 5th grade, they are so impressionable.”

Tuesday’s trip was the 2nd annual CTE trip for 5th grade students from the area. Last year, the trip featured 200 5th graders, including those from Windsor. This year, about 1,000 students from the 15 component districts of Broome-Tioga BOCES made the trip.

A girl holding a screwdriver 

“It’s about interest. We want them to know this is here. If they’re interested, we’re here for them,” said Vimislik. 

Whether it was interest or novelty, the students seemed to enjoy the experience.

“It’s fun getting hands-on,” said 5th grader Nico Soriano.

“Exactly,” said 5th grader Levi Harris. “Surprisingly fun.”

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