Spring Connections Open House draws employers, 200 job-seekers

Students, alumni of SWBOCES programs seek opportunities, connections

The Southern Westchester BOCES Center for Adult & Community Services hosted its annual Spring Connections Open House on April 3. Nearly 200 students and alumni met with employers and labor organizations in a variety of fields from across the region. 

Networking and connections were among the top goals that current and former students said they hoped to gain by attending the event at SWBOCES’ Valhalla campus as they seek to advance their careers in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding and multiple other professions that were represented.

“I really want to meet people and make connections with employers,” said Maxwell Pastilla, a 19-year-old New Rochelle resident who has taken two of the three plumbing courses offered by SWBOCES and plans to return for the third.

Joseph Peralta of Brewster completed Advanced Plumbing at SWBOCES. He came to the open house with the goal of meeting the representative from Local 21, the plumber’s union. One day he’ll own his own business, said Joseph, 20, and that starts with making connections. 

Patrick Ellis of Brewster also completed Advanced Plumbing. Ellis, 23, said he came to BOCES eager to learn as much as possible. 

 “I came in here ready to learn, and they taught me everything I wanted to know,” he said. “We did a lot of hands-on work.”

That’s of tremendous importance to employers like Matthew Kelleher, Director of Facilities in the Pearl River Schools. Mr. Kelleher turned to SWBOCES and the open house as an opportunity to  meet prospective hires for expected openings in HVAC due to impending retirements.

“We’re looking to get young hires in who we can train,” he said.

Dan Steffen of AAA Refrigeration Service said his company serves a region stretching from New Jersey to Albany. 

“When there’s an opportunity to recruit young kids, that’s great,” Mr. Steffen said, expressing appreciation for how SWBOCES prepares students. “You guys give them the basics, and we take things from there.”

Learn more about our training programs and ways you can take the next step in your career at adulted.swboces.org.