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HFM BOCES Program Is First Step Toward Career
education, workforce development,
Fulton County high school students have been offered a variety of career preparation opportunities for decades, which have evolved over time to meet changing employment needs and student interests.
Dr. Lorraine Hohenforst, assistant superintendent of the Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Education Services, notes that one new program in particular is getting students’ attention.
“The Digital Multi-Media and Communications program is very well subscribed, offering full classes with two instructors,” Dr. Hohenforst says. “It’s a career tech program for our high school students that they love.”
It’s no wonder. Students are engaged in creative thinking and computer skills involving video production and editing, design development, advertising, film and digital photography and camera room technical work. It is exciting, meaningful study that teaches students the principles of graphic instruction and technology. Their work is on display throughout the building, with photographs demonstrating all the areas of the career program studies.
“Our program provides a good stepping stone for students who want to go on to a two- or four-year degree for multimedia photography, and it provides a great employment opportunity for them in these fields,” Dr. Hohenforst explains.
More than 425 juniors and seniors are enrolled in the HFM-BOCES programs. These half-day courses offer hands-on studies that cover far more than basic skills and content.
“We want to encourage our students to become problem-solvers and good decision-makers and to collaborate on projects,” Dr. Hohenforst says. “These are critical pieces that help our students make the transition from education to work.”
Students work independently and are responsible for planning their work. “They have to meet goals, so we are developing in them not just the skills to, for example, take the photographs and electronically work on them, but also to have them know they are responsible for setting up their own work plan,” she says.
Dr. Hohenforst notes that there is a great demand for a wide variety of career tech programs from students who want to explore and prepare for future professions while they are still in high school.
“Our programs are popular because they are effective in preparing students for real-world careers and further educational opportunities,” she says.
The programs are accredited, and HFM-BOCES has articulation agreements with several area community colleges where students can start college with as many as 16 credits already behind them.
“It’s such an advantage for them to be able to come and do that,” Dr. Hohenforst says.
BOCES are educational institutions created by New York State to help public schools provide services. HFM-BOCES, headquartered in Johnstown, provides more than $22 million in shared educational services to the 15 school districts in Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties.
Story by Betsy Williams
