New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon told students at WNY CAM P-TECH Academy they were the “future of our economy” during a recent tour of the Springville facility.
For more than an hour, Reardon met with students and staff as well as Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES administration. During her visit, she learned about the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician and Computer Information Systems pathways at CAM P-TECH.
In the CIS classroom, the state Labor Commissioner spoke to instructor Daniel Palumbo and a handful of his students, including Corbin Marano of Iroquois and John Woodworth of Orchard Park. Both discussed projects they were working on and their future career plans.
“We desperately need people with your kind of skills,” said Reardon, who was joined in her visit by staff from the state Labor Department, among them Dana Politis, deputy commissioner for workforce development.
Reardon also got an up-close look at the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician classrooms. She spoke to instructors Jason Fitzner and William Clark and several students, including Adam Trautman and Owen Sweeney, both of Springville.
“I appreciate Commissioner Reardon’s visit to CAM P-TECH and the interest she and her staff showed in our students,” Principal Heather Banks said.
After the tour, Reardon sat down with E2CCB administrators that included District Superintendent David O’Rourke; John Griesmer, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction; Leo Fial, Director of P-TECH, CTE & Program Innovation; and William Smock, Director of Adult & Community Education.
The group discussed the history of the program in Springville, which began enrolling its first group of students in the fall of 2018. CAM P-TECH is housed in a state-of-the-art facility located at 307 Newman St., Springville.
Students enroll in P-TECH as ninth or 10th graders.
Fial said it was a pleasure to welcome Reardon and her staff to CAM P-TECH.
“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the students and staff for showcasing their incredible programs,” he said. “It is inspiring to see the hard work and dedication put forth by everyone at CAM PTECH. I am immensely proud of our students and teachers for their commitment to excellence and innovation in education.”
For more information on P-TECH programs at E2CCB, visit e2ccb.org/programs/p-tech/.
