Queensbury Middle Schooler Miles Robertson knelt down on some roof shingles and pulled on the level of a nailing roofer as his classmates watched on.
“That was fun,” said the seventh grader. “I’ve never done that before, because I’m not on a roof or working on a house, but it was fun.”
Miles was one of hundreds of Queensbury middle and high school students who participated in a Career & Technical Education (CTE) Day on Monday, Sept. 29 at the bus garage at Queensbury Union Free School District.
About 25 local business owners and tradespeople set up stations to showcase their industries, share expertise and ignite students’ passion for hands-on careers.
All seventh grade students as well as more than 200 high schoolers met tradespeople who specialize in auto mechanics, drywalling, plumbing, heavy equipment, HVAC, culinary, sewing, stenography, flooring, roofing, information technology, siding and window installation, woodworking, accounting and bookkeeping, pipe fitting, nursing, machinery and more.
The idea was born out of the district’s CTE curriculum renewal last year, said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon, whose father was a carpenter.
“These kids are getting a true experience,” Gannon said. “What I’ve learned is that it only takes just a minute and the spark happens.
“Not everybody has to go to college anymore,” Gannon continued. “In today’s day and age, if you learn a trade, you’re going to do well.”
Warren County is facing a severe worker shortage, according to Liza Ochsendorf, the director of Warren County Workforce Development. And the paucity of workers will only worsen as the baby boomers retire. 
“For example, Glens Falls Hospital’s here, and the research shows that by 2030, New York State will be in the worst shape of any state in the country for health care workers,” Ochsendorf said. “We need young people to know about local opportunities and educational work and to stay here. They’re already here. We need them to stay here.”
Student comments after the event:
“The Warren County K9 police officer was helpful, because he was talking about a lot of things that you need to know about being a police officer.”
“The RN's explained greatly about how to help yourself if you were ever in an emergency.”
“The nurse … told me quality and very important basic information on medical emergencies. It also showed me how to do many things to help other people medically and physically.”
“One presenter that stood out to me was the sewing woman. I think it’s super cool she kept clothes from her children for over 30 years. I also would want to sew for people who can’t afford clothing.”
“The chef was very confident and he made very good cookies. Also he really taught us that cooking is not just about cooking but critiquing your work.”
“The culinary presenter … was purposely testing our self control. I have never held a chocolate chip cookie for that long without eating it.”
“I think the welding station stood out to me because it tells the importance of the job and why it's important to weld things together.”
“The court reporter … was very helpful explaining what you do in any law business and only two years for learning.”
“The 3D printer guy was very helping and told us a lot and let us hold the shark.”
Click here to see more photos from CTE Day.
Thanks to these participants:
Allendale Machinery Systems
CrisafulliBros
United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry of the USA and Canada (Local 773)
Albany Medical Center
Retired NYS Unified Court System stenographer/court reporter Ellen Chase
Twin Electrical Solutions
IBW 236 Electrical Union
Turner Construction
Tailor Amy Brown
Midstate Industries
Brown Brothers
Galusha and Sons LLC
WSWHE BOCES teachers Dan Mayer and Matt Young
Army National Guard
Warren County Sheriff’s Department
Miller Industrial Manufacturing
Warren County Department of Workforce Development
Queensbury UFSD Technology Department
QHS electrical students Chris Giambrone, Colin Keller, Oliver Pratt
QHS welding students Chloe Sprague and Haden Borlang
Aramark