Bainbridge-Guilford students and SUNY Morrisville staff pose for a class photo. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH — SUNY Morrisville Norwich Campus, in collaboration with DCMO BOCES, welcomed 16 Bainbridge-Guilford students for a hands-on experience designed to introduce them to essential workforce skills.

Students participating in the program learn skills such as effective communication, various aspects of professionalism, and problem-solving. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate showing that they mastered paraprofessional skills, completed a resume, and are prepared to enter the workforce after graduation.

During each session, students have an opportunity to meet with different businesses in the area and learn more about what they do. The recent session showcased UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital (CMH). Representatives from the human resources department at CMH spoke with students about the qualities of a good employee, privacy, and what types of job opportunities are available for students.

“Employers expressed a need for this type of education, and we are responding by designing a program that meets their needs,” said Sarah Casscles, director of the Norwich Campus. “We hope to build connections in the community for each participant so they can go out into the local workforce and find success.”

Students meet once a month, for six months, from December through May. Each class focuses on a different area or skill related to workforce development while learning more about themselves as employees. Representatives from SUNY Morrisville also spoke with students about short-term credentials, certifications, dual enrollment opportunities, and pathways that can accelerate entry into the workforce while continuing their education.

Events like this reflect SUNY Morrisville’s ongoing commitment to community partnerships, workforce programming, and early college access, helping students make informed decisions about their futures and strengthening the connection between secondary and postsecondary education.

SUNY Morrisville’s curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative, and effective community service programs.

For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.

— Information from SUNY Morrisville