Genesee Valley BOCES (GV BOCES) has been awarded $677,000 through the New York Power Authority Clean Energy Workforce Training Initiative to expand Career and Technical Education opportunities for students and strengthen training aligned with high demand skilled trades and energy related careers.
This funding will support the expansion of the Electro Mechanical Trades Program to the Mount Morris CTE Center beginning next fall. Currently offered at the Batavia CTE Center, the program’s growth to the south campus increases access for more students across the region, reduces barriers for participation, and builds on Genesee Valley BOCES’ commitment to preparing students for careers that are essential to the future of our communities.
“Expanding Electro Mechanical Trades to Mount Morris reflects our commitment to ensuring every student in our region has access to high-quality, future-focused technical education. This investment strengthens pathways into high-demand careers and empowers our students to develop the skills, confidence, and experiences they need to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce,” said Jon Sanfratello, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs at Genesee Valley BOCES.
Electro Mechanical Trades is designed for students who want hands-on experience in the technical skills that power modern life. The expanded program will help students build a strong foundation in electrical and mechanical systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Students will learn basic electrical theory and how it connects to residential electronics, industrial electricity, and mechanical and robotic operations. They will develop the ability to work safely, think critically, and approach problems the way technicians do in the field.
Students will also learn how to read blueprints and apply that understanding to interpreting schematics and troubleshooting systems. These skills help students understand how projects come together from planning through installation and repair, and they create a pathway to careers in electrical work, maintenance and repair, automation, building systems, manufacturing, and related technical fields.
“By strengthening the Electro-Mechanical Trades Program, GV BOCES will directly address this need, equipping students and adult learners with the technical skills and certifications required to fill critical roles in the clean energy economy, while also providing long-term economic benefits for the communities of Western New York,” said Principal Foster Miller.
As the program grows, Genesee Valley BOCES will continue to grow opportunities for students to collaborate across CTE programs. Electro Mechanical Trades students can work closely with Building Trades students during large scale hands on learning experiences, including the house project. Collaboration like this helps students see how multiple trades connect on a job site and how electrical systems, mechanical operations, planning, and construction must work together to complete a project successfully. It also provides meaningful opportunities to practice communication, teamwork, time management, and shared problem solving in real time, skills that employers consistently identify as essential.
Adding Electro Mechanical Trades to Mount Morris also strengthens Genesee Valley BOCES’ ability to respond to workforce needs throughout the region. Local employers continue to seek skilled workers who can step into technical roles with strong foundational knowledge and the ability to learn quickly as technology changes. The demand for workers with electrical and mechanical skills is growing as industries invest in automation, advanced manufacturing, building controls, and modern infrastructure upgrades. This expansion helps build a stronger local pipeline by preparing students for entry level positions and further training opportunities while keeping talent rooted in our communities.
By expanding the Electro Mechanical Trades Program to the Mount Morris CTE Center, Genesee Valley BOCES is increasing access to high quality career training, strengthening program offerings across campuses, and creating more opportunities for students to gain the technical and professional skills needed to thrive in a changing workforce.