ALBANY -- A Sharon Springs teenager has built a solid future at Capital Region BOCES, logging more than 100 work-based learning hours in a job he plans to make permanent upon graduation.

Wesley Willoughby is a senior in the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operation (HERO) program at the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus. Through the program, he has amassed more than 100 work-based learning hours at EC Buck Industries in Canajoharie, learning first-hand the finer points of the construction industry.

He also works part-time for the company outside of school hours.

He plans to turn the work-based learning and part-time job into full-time employment upon graduation in June. 

“I am a laborer right now, I do mudding, transport materials, point walls and do other work. When I graduate, I will be able to operate equipment like the skid steer, dump truck and others to dig out foundations and do other work,” said Willoughby.

“It’s different work. It's enjoyable and makes you think,” he said.

Through work-based learning (WBL), students in virtually every Capital Region BOCES program work side-by-side with industry professionals during school hours in area workplaces. They gain credits toward completion of their CTE program and, in some instances, are paid for their work.

Willoughby said gaining the work experience has been valuable and taught him a lot about construction and the daily work life.

He also credits the HERO program with shifting his professional future into overdrive. 

“HERO is a good program because you get to operate a lot of cool equipment and you have the opportunity to learn new skills that can help you in life,” he said.

For more information on the program, visit the website at: https://www.capitalregionboces.org/career-technical-education/courses-programs/heavy-equipment-operation-maintenance-repair/.