SCHOHARIE – Schoharie High School senior Matt Rase aspires to a career in the lumber industry and chose the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) center to give him the skills to achieve it. 

Rase is enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) program on the CTE Schoharie Campus, where he is learning how to operate, maintain and repair large construction-related equipment, such as backhoes, dozers, front end loaders and excavators. 

“I chose the program because I figured it would be good to get experience and learn all of the different equipment and prepare for the forestry industry,” Rase said. “Ultimately, I would like to be out west working for the forestry companies or even [The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection].

Rase said he enjoys the skills he is learning and feels it is preparing him well for his future, which includes attending SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in the fall.

“You get to do a lot of heavy equipment operating, which is great. I am learning a lot, which should help me, and I can’t just sit at a desk all day,” Rase said.