NORWICH – DCMO BOCES is seeking a state grant that it says will allow the institution to prepare at-risk students for high-skills jobs in the growing fields of technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.

BOCES is undergoing the early stages of an application process for a Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) grant. The $2.8 million grant, offered through the New York State Department of Eduction, would allow BOCES to set up a regional partnership with businesses and a higher education institution to develop a six-year program that combines high school with college and career training to target at-risk disadvantaged students

If BOCES is awarded, the program will be implemented in the 2015-2016 school year.

“This is a designed program that targets students who may need to learn in a different environment that is hands-on based,” explained Lee Shaver, Director of Career and Technical Education at DCMO BOCES.

In addition to getting hands-on experience with partnering businesses, the programs would build the basic skills needed to keep a job, she added. “One of the things we often hear from industries is that kids don’t have soft skills, like showing up on time or showing a working attitude ... This (grant) would allow businesses to work directly with kids to make sure they are getting those skills.”