Occupational Trends Class
“Occupational Trends” is a five-day program for teachers, counselors and school administrators offered each July to acquaint educators with area businesses, career opportunities and to learn firsthand what firms expect of employees as well as the skills required for the various positions.
More than 180 educators have participating in the program since its inception. The program is supported through a partnership of SUNY Oneonta, the CDO Workforce Investment Board, the Catskill Regional Teachers Center, and other community organizations. Participants in the program have the option of registering and taking the course to receive graduate level course credit through SUNY Oneonta, or continuing education credits.
The program focuses on trends in the workplace in counties of Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego and seeks to expand educator awareness of the variety of business and industry career opportunities available. The five-day program consists of tours of area businesses, assigned texts and other readings on the changing nature of the business and occupations, and includes discussions and presentations from area experts. Participants explore current career education tools and resources, complete assigned readings, do background research on the participating industry sectors and firms.
At the end of the course, participants submit a series of lesson plans or a unit plan that integrates the Career Development Occupational Studies Standards, research and knowledge on one of the region’s primary industry sectors, and the content area standards in which the educator teaches or counsels.
Participating and supporting businesses and organizations that have provided tours, presentations and learning opportunities have included: Agro-Farma, Agricultural Watershed Council, Amphenol Aerospace, ARC Otsego, Bassett Healthcare, Cannonsville Lumber, Chenango Memorial Hospital, City of Oneonta, Clara Welsh Thanksgiving Home, Clark Sports Center, Corning Inc., Country Club Chevrolet, Covidien, Custom Electronics Inc., The Daily Star, The Farmer’s Museum, Foothills Performing Arts Center, Freeman’s Journal, Glimmerglass Opera, Golden Artist Colors, Ives Ice Cream, Mackie Marketing Associates, Meadwestvaco, Medical Coaches, Mohican Financial Management, National Baseball Hall of Fame, National Soccer Hall of Fame, NBT Bank, New York Central Mutual Insurance, Norwich Pharmaceuticals, The Otesaga Hotel, Pathfinder Village, Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, the Raymond Corporation, Sealey Ceramics, Sidney Federal Credit Union, Susan Snell Architect, Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Time Warner, Unadilla Laminated Products, Vibrant Creative, Wightman Specialty Woods, The White House Inn, Wilber National Bank and William Rigby's Builders' Hardware, and other community organizations such as Commerce Chenango, Otsego County Economic Development, and The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce.
2011 Occupational Trends Information and Registration form
Testimonials
“I’ve live here for 26 years and had no idea what many of the businesses did. If I had no idea, then I can see why our local students also are unaware of the great employment opportunities available.” - Teacher 2010
“This course is a must for all levels of high school educators working with today’s students to help guide them and prepare them for the survival skills of the 21st century workforce.” - Teacher 2010
“This has been one of the most valuable courses I have participated in. I now have more knowledge about businesses in our area that I did not know much about.” - Teacher 2010
“Occupational Trends exposed me to a world of work that I did not know existed in the area. The possibilities for employment a greater than imagined!” - Teacher 2010
