BEA

Press release:

Over 450 local high school students had the opportunity to explore their career options at a local job fair held on February 28th at the Batavia Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, which is part of the Batavia BOCES campus. The event, organized by the Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (Genesee County BEA) was open to all high school seniors in the area and featured a variety of local businesses looking to hire new talent.  

“The Genesee County BEA is proud to partner with Genesee Valley BOCES, Genesee County Economic Development Center, and GLOW with Your Hands to promote future career opportunities for our graduating seniors.  Many seniors have not finalized the next phase of their lives post-graduation, and the Graduating Senior Job Fair provides students the opportunity to speak with potential employers about their job openings and what training/apprenticeship programs they provide at no cost to the student.  The possibilities are endless!  Equally as important is introducing employers to CTE teachers who are teaching technical skills to the future workforce, and we witnessed several teachers and businesses exchanging contact information.  Hopefully, we will see new business partnerships developing as a result of this event,” explained Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director.  

Erica Gibson, Graphic Arts Teacher, led her class into the job fair and was excited to see what opportunities were available for her students.  “There are a lot of jobs in our area, and you don’t have to go somewhere else to make money. I saw a lot of students talking to different companies, and it made me happy to see them engaging with employers,” explained Gibson.  

Some of the businesses that attended the job fair included Liberty Pumps, HP Hood, Batavia Downs, OATKA, and Six Flags Darien Lake. These companies represented a diverse range of industries, from manufacturing and gaming to food production and entertainment.

During the event, students had the chance to speak with representatives from various companies and learn more about the types of jobs available. Many of the businesses had information booths set up with flyers and brochures describing their job openings and requirements.  Students left with information from different companies and were eager to follow up with these businesses in the future.  

Senior Rocco Mika from Batavia Central School is in the Metal Trades program at Batavia CTE Center.  Rocco explained he is currently learning Welding and Machining but he is more interested in pursuing a career in Welding.  “I was looking forward to the welding opportunities.  A lot of students don’t get these opportunities, and a lot of kids don’t put themselves out there, but it’s easier to put yourself out there with these events,”  said Rocco.

Computer Information Systems Student Donte Marsceill from Batavia Central Schools is only a junior, but he also attended the event to see what it was about.  “I think this is a good opportunity to get out there and a step forward for searching for a job after school.  As of now I plan on going to college to earn a degree but this is something I now consider as well,” said Donte’.  

Shaina Snyder, a senior at Attica Central Schools, who is enrolled in the Medal Trades program, is interested in the machining aspect of her program.   “The job fair lets students get a view of what they can do after high school.  I would like to get a job and go right into the work field.  I really want to be a cnc machinist,” explained Shaina.    

Batavia CTE Center offers a range of programs designed to prepare students for careers in various fields, including healthcare, technology, and construction. The job fair provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn more about the local job market and connect with potential employers.

Overall, the job fair was a success, with many students leaving the event feeling more informed and better prepared for their future careers. The BEA plans to continue hosting job fairs in the future, with the hope of providing even more opportunities for local students to explore their career options.

Press release:

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (BEA) announced the cancellation of all 2020 summer career exploration camps on Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cancelled youth summer camps include culinary camps -- "Very Veggies Camp" and "Simply Sweets Camp," as well as "Camp Hard Hat" construction camp.

The decision to cancel summer camps was made due to the uncertainty surrounding the current and future COVID-19 situation in our region, including not knowing if/when school facilities will be permitted to reopen, and what social distancing measures will still be necessary.

Camp funding concerns also contributed to the decision to cancel all summer camps, as the BEA relies on donations from local businesses to help pay camp expenses and provide full camp scholarships for low-income students.

The Genesee County BEA has proudly provided fun and hands-on career exploration camps for local youth for more than years.

The BEA hopes to resume its full summer camp lineup in 2021 and bring back more camps like "Animal Science/Vet Camp," "Medical Camp," and "Young Dexter’s STEAM Camp (formerly MST Camp)" next summer.

For more information, visit www.BEAGenesee.com or contact Karyn Winters at: KWinters@GeneseeNY.com

Press release:

More than 275 students in grades eight through 12 from Genesee and Wyoming counties will be participating in the Healthcare Career Day at the Genesee Community College campus in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 7^th from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The event will provide local students the opportunity to learn about high-growth and high-demand health careers and meet with medical professionals from more than 20 different fields, including laboratory technologists, physicians, first responders, nurses, speech and occupational therapists, radiologists, and more.

Students will also participate in the Healthcare College and Career Fair in the William W. Stuart Forum from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m., where they will meet with representatives from more than 25 colleges and healthcare organizations.

The Healthcare Career Day is a special collaboration between Genesee Community College, Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA), Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, Fidelis Care, Tobacco-Free GOW, Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center, Wyoming County Community Health System, and the Wyoming County Business Education Council (BEC).

Healthcare Career Day hopes to address the future workforce shortage in healthcare, particularly in rural communities like Genesee and Wyoming counties where residents already have considerable difficulty accessing healthcare locally. Remote geographic locations, small size, limited workforce, and physician shortages pose a unique set of challenge for rural hospitals and health centers.

The mission of this special collaboration is to promote employment opportunities with tomorrow’s workforce, as jobs in healthcare occupations are projected to grow 18 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The Healthcare Career Day will help secure the health and wellness of Genesee and Wyoming counties for generations to come.

For more information, contact Karyn Winters at KWinters@GeneseeNY.com or 585-343-7440.

Press release:

Registration is underway for the 2019 Genesee County Business/Education Alliance (BEA) Summer Career Exploration Camps. This summer’s camps will provide more than 150 middle school students (grades six through nine) the opportunity to experience professions in six different industries like culinary arts, skilled trades, animal sciences, medicine, and engineering.

The cost for families to send a child to the BEA’s fun and hands-on weeklong camps is $95 per camper. The fee includes water bottle and a T-shirt (scrubs for Medical Camp, which is $75 per student).

(Due to rising food costs and number of camper food allergies, the BEA no longer provides lunches. Campers participating in full-day camps are asked to bring a packed lunch daily. The BEA will provide coolers/refrigerator to store lunches until lunch time.)

2019 Camps still available are:

• Animal Science/Vet Camp -- July 8-12 -- 9 a.m. to noon
• M.S.T. Camp (Math/Science/Technology) -- July 15-19 -- 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Medical Camp -- July 22-24 -- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Camp Hard Hat -- July 29-Aug. 2 -- 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

[​SOLD OUT!--Waiting List Only: All About Dogs --  -- July 8-12 -- 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. /  Global Eats Culinary Camp -- July 8-12 -- 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.]

The BEA actively solicits sponsorships from businesses to provide full camp scholarships for low-income students.

The BEA is proud to announce its partnership with NextEra Energy Resources, a clean energy company that is currently developing a solar energy project in Byron.

NextEra Energy Resources has donated $950 to M.S.T. Camp, which is designed to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to students in a fun and engaging way. Thanks to NextEra Energy's generosity, 10 low-income students will have the opportunity to attend M.S.T. Camp at no cost and learn about and problem solve real-life issues.

“We are so excited to welcome NextEra Energy as a committed partner for this summer season,” says M.S.T. Camp instructor Bob Hollwedel. “We appreciate their dedication through their financial support and also the great opportunity each student will receive as they gain some insight into how NextEra Energy is addressing green energy.”

For more information on M.S.T. Camp and all of the 2019 BEA Summer Career Exploration Camps and to register click here, or contact BEA Director Karyn Winters at kwinters@geneseeny.com or call (585) 343-7440.

More than 200 local high school students, including students from Elba High School at Graham Manufacturing, toured local businesses yesterday for National Manufacturing Day, sponsored locally by the Genesee County Business/Education Alliance.

At Graham, Elba students learned about what the company does and how it does it during a presentation in the company's cafeteria. The students then toured some of the production buildings.

Other companies participating were U.S. Gypsum, Amanda Tool, Oxbo, Orcon, Liberty Pumps, and Chassix.

Press release:

More than 200 local high school students will be participating in the inaugural Health Career Day at Genesee Community College in Batavia on Tuesday, Jan. 9^th.

The event is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will provide Genesee County students the opportunity to learn about high-growth and high-demand health careers and meet with medical professionals from over 10 different fields, including laboratory technologists, first responders, nurses, physical therapists, sonographers, radiologists and more.

Students will also participate in the Health Care College and Career Fair in the William W. Stuart Forum from 12 to 1 p.m., where they will meet with representatives from more than 20 colleges and health care providers.

The BEA Health Career Day is a special collaboration between the Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA), Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center, Genesee Community College Accelerated College Enrollment Programs, and the Michael Napoleone Memorial Foundation.

Our mission is to promote employment opportunities with tomorrow’s workforce, as jobs in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BEA Health Career Day will help secure the health and wellness of Genesee County for generations to come.

For more information, contact Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director Karyn Winters at KWinters@GeneseeNY.com or 343-7440.

There is still time to sign up for one of the many weeklong summer career exploration camps through the Genesee County Business Education Alliance (BEA).

Karyn Winters, the director, said they will be accepting registrations through the end of this week.

Kids from grades six through nine are eligible to register for culinary, animal and medical camps, while those in grades six through eight are eligible for a math, science and technology camp. Older students from grades eight through 10 can participate in a camp about careers in construction.

“These camps just offer a great opportunity for [students in middle school] to get a little experience under their belt,” Winters said. “They can learn from instructors who are in those fields and industries. They just have a great time and can have fun while they’re doing it, too.”

The BEA’s mission is to foster a partnership between Genesee County businesses and schools.

“We want to really assist and prepare students for the world of work,” Winters said. “We want to retain the student population that we have here to remain in Genesee County to ensure the economic development of our county.”

“Culinary Camp I” runs from July 10 through 14, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the GVEP Batavia Campus. Participants will learn how to cook and bake with Chef Tracy Burgio. They will make a variety of recipes using fresh, healthy ingredients. Graduates of Culinary Camp 1 can expand on their skills learned, and participate in “Culinary Camp II” from July 17 through 21, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the GVEP Batavia Campus.

For students that enjoy animals, there is an “Animal Science and Vet Camp” running from July 17 until 21, from 12 until 3:30 p.m. at the GVEP Batavia Campus. They will learn about small and large animals, anatomy, food production, and animals in agriculture. Winters said they are also planning a trip to Seneca Park Zoo.

“All About Dogs” is a camp that runs from July 10 through 14, from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., or 12 until 3:30 p.m. at the GVEP Batavia Campus. At this camp, participants will explore careers working with dogs, from training to grooming, to rescuing service dogs. They will also learn how to make their own dog toys.

Students that are interested in the medical profession can participate in the camp from July 24 until 28 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. They will explore available career options in the medical industry and visit two hospitals.

Winters said her favorite camp is the “MST Camp,” which explores the world of math, science and technology with hands-on activities. Participants learn about renewable energy, aerodynamics, aviation, astronomy, robotics and GPS mapping.

“It’s a really cool camp especially if your kid likes to fidget with things or has an interest with those STEM skills,” Winters said. “STEM careers are something that is not going to go away.”

The MST Camp will be held from July 17 until the 21 from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the GCC Batavia Campus.

For older students, “Camp Hard Hat” runs from July 31 until Aug. 4 at the Genesee County Park. The camp is taught by two instructors from construction backgrounds. Students will be making a walkway and a bridge over the Genesee County Park.

Each camp costs $95, but Winters said she is happy to work with families that have financial restrictions.

“Exposure to these camps and participation in these camps is helping kids to become well rounded adults,” Winters said.

For more information and to register for a camp, you can contact Winters at 343-7440 x1025 or kwinters@geneseeny.com

Karyn Winters, a 2003 graduate of Pavilion High School, is the new director of the Business Education Alliance.

She replaced Beth Kemp, who is now director of the Business Improvement District.

Winters gave her first department review to the Human Services Committee of the County Legislature yesterday afternoon and shared some of the things she will be working on in the coming year.

Among the highlights: improving the process for students to apply and get involved in the job shadow program; an expanded agriculture summer camp; continued work with schools in Le Roy, Byron-Bergen, and Oakfield-Alabama, on a career agriculture program; a program in Le Roy and Byron-Bergen on adult life skills; and a program already in Elba and expanding to Alexander to assist students with developmental disabilities on job skills.

The summer ag camp, Winters said, probably won't change this year, because of the short time left until it starts, but she would like to expand it beyond a veterinary camp working with large animals, to include crops and tractor maintenaince as well as other ag-related skills.

"Agriculture is such a changing industry," she said, noting how technology is playing an ever bigger role in farm operations.

She said students today are much more attunded to what is available in the job market and are looking beyond just big dreams, such as, "I want to be a star in the NBA," but are more interested in making practical decisions. Part of her job, she said, is to help them explore career opportunities close to home, both what is available now and what is coming in the future.

Not all kids, she said, are looking to take the college path.

"There are students who love the hands-on experience with BOCES who are making great livings and they’re not digging themselves out of the hole of student loans," Winters said.

Winters was previously with Junior Achievement in Rochester and spent a year-and-a-half working in Wyoming County in prevention education.

She went to college to become a teacher and is education certified, but her career has taken her on the nonprofit route, which she said she's passionate about.

That passion, a passion for helping kids, and the fact that the BEA job was in her home county all attracted her to the position, she said.

"I often think there are a ton of resources for urban and suburban areas, but often times, rural communities kind of get forgotten," Winters said. "It’s nice to be able to provide summer camps and exposing kids who don’t normally get a ton of exposure to different careers. Here’s what’s available to you right in your back yard, so that’s a really nice thing."

The Genesee County Business/Education Alliance held its annual meeting this morning at Terry Hills. The event featured presentations by students who have been through BEA programs, awards and election of officers.

Jay Wolcott, a teacher with Byron-Bergen High School, received an APPLE Award, as did Ed Shaver (second picture), a teacher with Elba High School.

Other awards: Business Partner of the Year, Dan Harvey, formerly of Graham Manufacturing; and partner in education awards to Graham Manufacturing and Amada Tool America.

Wolcott and Shaver are pictured with Eve Hens, director of BEA.

Nick Corsivo

 Students from Alexander Central School who attended BEA Camps last summer. Lauren Young, Nick Allen, Andrew Young.

Heather Dries and Chrstine Stevens, students at Byron-Bergen, in Wolcott's manufacturing systems classes.

A week of intense study and fun came to an end today for students of the Aviation Adventure Camp.

The annual week-long camp exposes students going into ninth through 11th grade to potential career options in aviation and is held at the Genesee County Airport.

It's sponsored by the Business Education Alliance of Genesee County.

Today's class ended with a short graduation ceremony after participants competed in a final model helicopter flying contest.

This is the fourth year for the camp.