Students in the B-P school district have the opportunity to participate in HFM BOCES’ Career & Technical Education program (CTE) starting in their junior year of high school. HFM Career & Technical Education offers students an avenue for career exploration and enrichment through practical learning applications. Students enrolled in CTE programs are provided the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to succeed in college and the workplace.
Meet Kelsey Mosher
Kelsey Mosher enrolled in the Veterinary & Animal Science pathway through HFM’s CTE program. After graduating from high school in 2019, she continued her veterinary education while working part-time.
Currently, Kelsey is attending a two-year veterinary science program at SUNY Delhi and is employed as a clerk at Stewart’s in Broadalbin.
Having recently finished a preceptorship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, Kelsey’s goal is to become a veterinary technician, possibly specializing in large animals such as horses, cows, goats and pigs.
When asked about her success, Kelsie said, “The Veterinary & Animal Science Program at HFM helped me tremendously. I was able to learn about different breeds of animals, medical terminology, parasitology, grooming, administering medication and more while still in high school. I remain in contact with the instructors at HFM and gained a few mentors.”
Kelsey highly recommends HFM’s CTE programs. “You can pick from a variety of courses that you wouldn’t normally get in high school,” she said. “You can even earn college credit or an associate’s degree.”
Meet Kyle Ferguson
A 2015 Broadalbin-Perth graduate who completed the Environmental Conservation program at HFM BOCES, Kyle Ferguson is now working as a skidder operator for his family’s business, R&F Logging Inc. As a skidder operator, he skids trees to a landing site to be processed and loaded on trucks.
In the Environmental Conservation program, students can select one of three pathways, which include Forestry and Lumber Production, Heavy Equipment Operation and Renewable Resources. Kyle selected the Forestry and Lumber Production pathway and received all the required training to become a certified logger. HFM works with the New York Logger Training program to provide students with the training necessary to become certified loggers. To do this, students must complete a Forest Ecology & Silviculture workshop as well as the Game of Logging Level 1 training, which covers chainsaw operation and safety. They also must become Adult First Aid and CPR certified.
Kyle’s advice to current CTE students – as well as those thinking of attending a CTE program – is to listen to teachers and your boss, and to always strive to do a good job.
In the future, Kyle hopes to become an owner/operator at R&F Logging.
