Niskayuna students have access to a variety of career and technical (CTE) training and experiential learning programs through Capital Region BOCES.
Students can take courses at the Center for Advanced Technology at Mohonasen, participate in New Visions programs at work-based sites in the region, pursue programs at the BOCES CTE campuses, or attend the new Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs and Tech Valley High School.
While these programs often help prepare students for a career, several of them enable students to achieve industry certifications and earn college credit – giving them a head-start on advanced training and a degree.
Learn more about each opportunity:
- Career & Technical Education
- New Visions
- Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)
- Tech Valley High School
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs are designed to provide students the ability to learn, build experiences, and explore a career before entering college, additional technical training, the military or the workforce. Students are eligible to participate in CTE courses beginning in tenth grade, depending on the course. CTE courses have been developed based on the skills and training that are in demand by employers, as well as where there are job opportunities today.
These courses allow students to:
- Enter a trade or career pathway and immerse themselves in a hands-on learning setting for a half-day or longer;
- Earn early college credits;
- Earn credit toward graduation from high school
- Gain practical experience and industry connections while learning;
- Prepare for further trade, technical and/or advanced training;
The Career & Tech programs are primarily offered at the Albany campus located in Colonie on Watervliet Shaker Road (Rt. 155), about 15 minutes from Niskayuna High School, and the Mohonasen Center for Advanced Technology. There are also courses offered at the BOCES CTE center in Schoharie and in other business and education settings.
New Visions
New Visions programs offer college-bound high school seniors intensive exploration of career fields in a workplace-based, real-world setting. The opportunities include:
- Health Careers (based at either St. Peter’s Hospital or Ellis Hospital)
- Law & Government (based near the State Capitol)
- STEM @ RPI (based at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)*
- Scientific Research & World Health (based at University at Albany’s Health Sciences Campus, Rensselaer)*
- Visual & Performing Arts (based at The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy)*
- Theatre Institute at Sage Internship*
*Offered by Questar III BOCES
P-TECH
P-TECH is a four- to six-year program focused on engaging students in hands on, project-based learning to be successful in careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Two sites offer distinct pathways to an associate’s degree from a neighboring college.
- Computer Information Systems Pathway & Cybersecurity Pathway (East Campus – Watervliet Jr./Sr.)
- Computer Science Pathway (West Campus – Mohonasen
High School)
Tech Valley High School
Located at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus in Albany, Tech Valley is built on the principles of project-based learning and collaboration.
This school’s location affords students collaboration and learning opportunities that would be unavailable in any other location. SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a hub of new, high-tech industries, conducting cutting edge research with top minds in STEM fields.
The facility was built in 2014, and was designed to allow for collaboration and growth in all areas of curriculum. Every classroom and breakout space contains whiteboards, projectors and presentation technology, giving students the flexible space they need to complete their work quickly and efficiently.