Career and Technical Education Programs

Doug Leavens
Director of Career and Technical Education
F. Donald Myers Education Center
Henning Road
Saratoga Springs, NY  12866
Voice:  (518)581-3600/746-3600
Fax:  (518) 581-3609/746-3609
Email: dleavens@wswheboces.org

Career and Technical Education is about helping students, workers, and lifelong learners of all ages fulfill their potential. 

Career and Technical Education programs provide students with:

• Academics that are relevant to the real world and meet the requirements of the New York State Learning Standards and the No Child Left Behind Act

• Employability skills that are aligned with business and industry standards

• Work-Based Learning experiences that help students explore interests and careers

• Opportunities to earn credit or advanced placement at post-secondary institutions

Career and Technical Education is also about:

• Second-chance training for the unemployed and those seeking to upgrade their employability skills

• The opportunity to earn additional certifications, especially when related to career advancement

• Corporate training and professional development (skills upgrades and refresher courses) for those already in the workplace

• Continuing education for lifelong learners with varied interests

Any student enrolled in a school in one of the 31 school districts is eligible for admission to the Myers Center in Saratoga Springs or SAEC in Hudson Falls, county of residence determines admission for adults.

Click here to view the CTE Program Video Overview of all programs;

or click on the individual links below under each program name.

CTE PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Auto Body Repair 
Auto Body Video
Auto Body Repair is a two-year program based on Automotive Service Excellence Task Lists for Painting and Refinishing and Non-Structural Analysis and Damage Repair. It includes safety, use of computers/tools/technology, body assignment, dent removal, welding, painting, refinishing, trim, glass work, and shop operations.

Automotive Technology
Automotive Technology Video
Automotive Technology is a two-year program based on automotive Service Excellence Task Lists for Brakes; Electrical and Electronic Systems; Engine Performance; Steering and Suspension. It includes the latest technologies to build diagnostic and repair skills for working on modern vehicles. The program offers live work on vehicles owed by real customers. Students work heavily with computers and high-tech equipment. The program enjoys strong ties with industry partners in a wide variety of internships; donations of equipment and vehicles; and industry presentations, demonstrations, and clinics.

Career Exploration Program
This program provides individualized career placements for high school seniors who want to explore various fields of interest. Students accepted into the program meet with a Placement Coordinator who designates a job-site, develops a personalized curriculum for the student, and develops a training plan for the company with which the student works. Students may take advantage of the Career Exploration Program at any time – during the school day, on weekends, or on school vacations. For every 54 hours students spend exploring a company or industry, they will receive one-half credit at the home school. While participating in a Career Exploration Program, students are responsible for all regular classroom work.

Conservation
Conservation Video
Conservation is a two-year program that teaches management of natural resources. It emphasizes safety and the operation, preventative maintenance, and repair of equipment used to manage natural resources. Students learn surveying, tree and lumber grading, leaf and tree identification, soil sampling, and orienteering. Students spend over 50% of their time out-of-doors, in all weather and conditions, in "land labs," which are approved projects in progress that put theory into practice. There are a number of different types of land labs - from entrepreneurial endeavors to community service projects.

Construction Trades
Construction Trades Video
Construction Trades is a two-year program based on the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Contren Learning Series. It includes standardized construction, maintenance, and pipeline curricula for more than 40 crafts. The modules are competency-based and include the NCCER Core Curriculum (Basic Construction Skills) as well as advanced and specialized craft curricula. Students learn all aspects of residential construction, from safety and materials to blueprints and project management.

Cosmetology
Cosmetology Video
Cosmetology is a  two-year, 1,000-hour program dedicated to preparing students for current and emerging careers in the professions of natural hair styling, esthetics, nail specialty, and cosmetology. It combines crucial elements of art, science, technical skills, interpersonal skills, and entrepreneurship. The program adheres to all ethical and professional standards of the cosmetology industry. Students participate under supervision in the actual operation of a full service salon on each campus, catering to real customers, in order to gain management skills and customer service experience.

Criminal Justice Studies
Criminal Justice Video
Criminal Justice Studies is a two-year program based on the education and training objectives set forth by the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO). The program promotes a philosophy of prevention rather than apprehension. It covers terrorism, VIP protection, homeland security, emergency planning, disaster control, crowd control, law, crisis intervention, public relations, and professional ethics. Students participate in mock trials, crime scene investigations, accident investigations, forensics, crime scene sketching, budget development, police reports, and more. Some modules are self-paced, on-line, or through CD-ROM. We are the first high school in the U.S. to offer the Certified Protection Officer (CPO) course through the IFPO curriculum. Only 5% of all Security Officers currently employed in the U.S. aspire to the level of CPO status.

CTE Preparation
CTE Prep Program @ Myers Video
CTE Prep Program @ SAEC Video
CTE Preparation Programs are for students ages 13-21 who need a classroom setting of 12:1:1. Students spend a large portion of time in small groups using hands-on skills. These programs focus on employability, social skills, and behavior management. Through these programs, students will explore various fields of interest. Communication with the home schools, parents, and students is maintained through the CTE team of teachers and the school counselor. Upon successful completion of the CTE-Prep program, students may be recommended for placement in a CTE program.
Click here to find out more about the CTE Prep programs available.

Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Culinary Arts Video
Culinary Arts implements The ProStart Program, a two-year industry-based program that prepares students for careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry. The ProStart Curriculum includes kitchen basics, preparing and serving safe food, nutrition, breakfast foods, and sandwiches, salads, and garnished, fruits and vegetables, potatoes and grains, desserts and baked goods, meat, poultry, seafood, stocks, soups, and sauces. The program incorporates business math, purchasing and inventory control, and standard accounting practices. It covers the art of service, customer relations, and working with people. Students learn the foodservice, lodging, tourism, and retail industries while catering to real customers. They participate in front and back of house operations, menu planning and development, food and cost control, and introduction to hospitality marketing and management.

Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education Video
Early Childhood  is a two-year program based on Child Development Associate (CDA) competencies and requirements. It focuses on developing skills in early childcare and education professionals. The program provides students the opportunity to work with 3- and 4-year olds, under supervision, in an on-site preschool. In this setting students learn to establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment while nurturing the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development of the young child. Students learn to provide guidance; promote positive and productive relationships with families; and ensure a well-run program.

Graphic & Visual Communications
Graphics Video
Graphics  & Visual Communications is a two-year program based on current and future trends and practices in the industry. Students use state-of-the-art computer and digital equipment to create websites, brochures, and videos. The program includes the basics of layout and design for all mediums (television, print, Internet), digital photography and illustration, audio and video editing, and animation. Students obtain comprehensive instruction, with an emphasis on technical excellence in desktop publishing applications such as QuarkXpress, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. They learn the necessary skills to build, maintain, and grow client relationships.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

HVAC & R Video
HVCA & R is a two-year program that is aligned with the most current HVAC Excellence modules relevant for this geographic area and industry needs/trends. It imparts skills required for the installation, service, and repair of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment/systems in both residential and commercial applications. The program integrates shop operations, job planning and estimating, customer service, professionalism, and ethics. It emphasizes safety and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and regulations. The program enjoys a corporate collaboration with F.W. Webb and regularly receives corporate donations of state-of-the-art equipment.

Heavy Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Heavy Equipment Video
Heavy Equipment is a two-year program based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Contren Learning Series for Heavy Equipment Operations. Modules include safety, diesel engine theory, diesel engine overhaul, and hydraulic systems. Students  learn to operate, maintain, diagnose, and repair construction-related equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, bucket loaders, excavators, dump trucks, and skid steers. The program enjoys a corporate collaboration with Milton/Caterpillar, through which students receive specialized training at their corporate site, instructional opportunities at our centers, field trip experiences, internships, and job shadowing opportunities.

Horse Care
Horse Care  Video
Horse Care is a two-year program aligned with the U.S. Trotting Association (USTA) requirements for basic licensing as a trainer/driver. The program includes training of Standardbred horses for racing, using all related tack and equipment. It encompasses equine systems and physiology, nutrition, health, disease, emergency medical care, and stable management. Students learn about bloodlines, breeding, purchasing, selling, the daily care of horses, the role of the caretaker, safety, professionalism, handling of horses, and breaking a yearling. They spend a majority of their time at the Saratoga Equine Sports Center, where they learn and apply equine and veterinary science on live horses.

Horticulture & Landscaping
Horticulture Video
Horticulture & Landscaping is a two-year program that incorporates contemporary knowledge, skills, and trends found in the horticulture and landscaping industries. It integrates horticulture principles, landscape design, greenhouse production, floral design, retail sales, merchandising, and shop management. The program covers botany, soil science, plant propagation, and integrated pest management (IPM). Students design landscaping for some of the area's finest gardens and see their vision grow from start to finish. Each educational center operated a student-run greenhouse and floral shop on-site.

Information Technologies/Networking
Information Technologies/Networking Video
Information Technologies/Networking is a two-year program designed to teach the skills necessary to design, install, and maintain computer networks. Skills involve everything from understanding network topologies to writing scripts for router configurations, the devices which route the information flow through the World Wide Web. The curriculum is specific to, and crosses over, Information Technology careers which include basic electricity and electronics, network and telecom installation, computer operation and repair, operating systems, Local Area Network (LAN) management, hardware, wiring and computer security. The program enjoys strong ties with industry partners, resulting in a wide variety of internships and projects both inside the classroom and outside on specialized assignments. Students conclude the program having completed a comprehensive design project.

Machine Tool Technology
Machine Tool Technology Video
Machine Tool Technology is a two-year program based on National Institute for Metalworking Skills standards and related curriculum. It places heavy emphasis on high-tech equipment and precision in the machining of component parts. Key modules include industrial safety and environmental protection, job planning and management, blueprint reading, quality control and inspection, process adjustment and improvement, general maintenance, decision making and problem-solving, engineering drawing and sketches, measurement and precision measurement, metalworking theory, and word address component codes. Students learn career management, employment relations, teamwork, interpersonal relationships, applied math, applied communications skills, and social skills.

Mechanical Technology
Mechanical Technology Video
Mechanical Technology is a two-year program that provides students with fundamental skills and concepts associated with traditional and high-tech manufacturing technologies. It explores what it takes for a product to make its way from concept to consumer in the global economy, including product design, development, planning, materials, manufacturing, and quality control. Students learn to make and supply components to end-users using hand tools, power tools, equipment, and machines. They also learn to assemble, maintain, repair, and optimize the equipment and machines. The program covers the fundamental systems that enable equipment and machines to function - a power source (electronics), power converters (hydraulics and pneumatics), and brain (robotics). With this knowledge, students will design, develop, and produce their own products as a team over the course of the two years. Students participate in internships with current manufacturers in the area that are on the cutting edge of technology in the fields of healthcare, electronics, and computers.

New Visions Programs
New Visions programs are academically rigorous courses for college-bound high school seniors who plan to major in the following disciplines: engineering, health/medicine, and theatre arts. New Visions programs provide students with a competitive edge when applying for college admissions because their advanced studies include work experience alongside industry professionals in a variety of disciplines. Click here for more information about the New Visions Programs.

Nurse Assisting/Health Occupations
Nurse Assisting Video
Nurse Assisting/Health Occupations is a two-year program that offers the Nurse Assisting curriculum in year one and Health Occupations (including Medical Assisting) in year two. Nurse Assisting teaches skills in basic nurse assisting, medical terminology, safety, body mechanics, symptoms of health and disease, infection and control, patient care, holistic health, consumer rights, ethical and legal issues, and communication. Health Occupations/Medical Assisting revolves around medical office management, office communication, organization, records management, patient database management, and performing some aspects of patient care. Students participate both years in clinical settings at hospitals, nursing homes, physicians' offices, clinics, insurance companies, and community agencies.  

Outdoor Power Equipment Technician
OPET Video
Outdoor Power Equipment Technician is a two-year program based on servicing engines found in lawn and garden equipment, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, and jet skis. It teaches students two-stroke cycle and four-stroke cycle engine theory and principles of operation. The program includes diagnostics, troubleshooting, repair, and overhaul of internal combustion engines; components relating to the engines; and the equipment on which these engines are found. The classroom is a live shop, where students manage shop operations including writing work orders, calculation of parts margins and sales tax, preparing estimates, ordering parts, and completing repairs. Students learn fuel systems, cooling/lubrication, ignition, electronics, governor systems, safety and tools, precision measurement, engine performance, failure analysis, and customer service. The program enjoys tremendous industry support from Briggs and Stratton - the leading manufacturer of small engines.

Practical Nursing
Practical Nursing Video
Practical Nursing is a 1,200-hour  program for high school seniors and adults. The curriculum includes fundamentals of nursing, growth and development, community health, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, math, phlebotomy, medical terminology, pharmacology, and medication. It explores emergency care, EKG, geriatrics, maternity nursing, medical surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental health. Students also learn office practical skills, communication skills, and computer applications. Clinical field experiences are a required component of the curriculum. The program stresses professional standards, integrity, academic excellence, and the human side of nursing.
Click here for more information about the Practical Nursing program and entrance exam dates.

Welding
Welding Video
This program teaches to the National Center for Construction Education and Research  (NCCER) Contren Learning Series for welding. The curriculum includes industrial welding levels I, II, and III; oxygen/acetylene welding; mig and tig welding; basic rod identification and use; layout and design. The program integrates safety, blueprint reading, electrode selection, joint design, rigging, metallurgy, quality, symbols, welding detail drawings, and technology. Students work with their hands on steels and aluminum to fabricate or repair any product.

Click here to see our CTE Catalog.