In order to succeed in today’s competitive job market, students must develop not only hard skills, such as technical knowledge and industry-specific abilities, but also soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
High school sophomores enrolled at CAM P-TECH in Springville recently learned the importance of such skills during a presentation titled “You Want a Job?” as part of their week-long Summer Bridge program.
Ellen Ditonto, Business Development Coordinator for the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, introduced students to the essential hard and soft skills needed for careers in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance Electrician and Information Technology pathways.
Ditonto emphasized the value of problem-solving, communication, initiative, and time management — skills that are highly sought after in today’s job market — while also giving students a preview of the technical knowledge they will gain in the program through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES.
“Each summer we invite an industry partner to speak with our students about the importance of employability skills,” CAM P-TECH Principal Heather Banks said. “We focus on what makes someone employable, including both hard and soft skills.”
During their senior year, CAM P-TECH students will have the opportunity to visit the BPU offices in Jamestown, tour the power plant, and meet with the utility’s Human Resources team to learn more about potential career paths in the electrical division.
CAM P-TECH provides students with an innovative, up to six-year program that combines high school, college, and industry experience. Students graduate with both a high school diploma and a no-cost associate degree from a higher educational partner. For more information, visit e2ccb.org/programs/p-tech/
