BH-BL High School & Capital Region BOCES student Malachi Plaza (left) will be heading to the national SkillsUSA conference in Atlanta later this month, but he won’t be there to compete.
Rather, Malachi Plaza, an Automotive Trades Technology student (and Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education colleague Elena Hymes, North Colonie) will take part in training sessions and conferences that will build their professional skills and make them ready for their professional futures.
“I am looking forward to the experience,” said Plaza. “Receiving the training and overseeing some of the competitions will be fun and will help me with my future.”
The SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference runs from June 23-27 in Atlanta. The event is the largest gathering of America’s future skilled workforce and the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education, with more than 17,500 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more attending.
Capital Region BOCES SkillsUSA Advisor Debra Toy said it is an honor for Hymes and Plaza to be selected to attend the conference.
“SkillsUSA Officers are elected by their peers at the State Conference. The role provides opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and experience,” she said. “These roles involve a significant time commitment and require strong leadership qualities which both Elena and Malachi have shown throughout the year as SkillsUSA officers at Albany Career & Technical School. I am very excited for them to have this experience!”