Ellicottville, NY – The CA BOCES Career & Technical Education (CTE) division recently received national recognition and accreditation for two programs – Power Equipment Technology and Heavy Equipment Operations – through the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation.
Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international trade association representing over 800 construction equipment distributors, manufacturers, and industry-service firms. The AED Foundation focuses on growing the future workforce through professional education and accreditation of programs at both the high school and college levels.
As part of the accreditation process for both programs, a thorough program analysis by an industry task force is required along with an audit of how the work in the program meets the AED Foundation’s National Technical Standards. Local sponsoring equipment dealer, Anderson Equipment, also participated in the program accreditation process.
David Thiel, CA BOCES Power Equipment Technology Instructor, said that he is excited for the benefits that students will receive because of the recognition. “This program recognition lasts for five years and will provide industry credentials for students, available advanced training, along with scholarship opportunities.”
Assistant Superintendent for Career and Technical Education, Jim Schifley, said that the accreditation will be another useful tool for students as they head to future education and/or the workforce. “All of our CTE programs focus on future career opportunities for students,” he said. “A “stamp” of quality and rigor like this only stands to create more opportunities for the students at CA BOCES.”