Culinary Arts students provided a full breakfast at both CGEC and REC’s Consultant Committee Breakfasts.
Questar III is fortunate to have instructors in both our CTE and Career Studies programs with extensive experience in their respective fields. Whether they owned a business, worked in health care or law enforcement, were employed at a large construction company or a small upscale restaurant, or perhaps continue to provide services to loyal customers in a local beauty salon, our teachers know the real-world workplace skills needed for their students to become successful in their potential future careers.
Another way our staff keeps current on the latest trends in each industry, and what employers are looking for in terms of their future staffing needs, is through meeting with members of their Consultant Committees. Both Columbia-Greene and Rensselaer Educational Center recently hosted a Consultant Committee breakfast, with food prepared by their Culinary Arts Programs, followed by their annual Consultant Committee Meetings. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about important local workplace needs and training information from Questar III Director of CTE Denise Fernandez-Pallozzi.
As part of a programs certification process, each CTE program is required to have a Consultant Committee, consisting of business and education representatives who meet with our teachers to share their insight on subjects including what are the technical and soft skills necessary to succeed in a particular career field, and what these professionals see as the workplace needs in the future. Teachers review their curriculum and share information on projects in their programs, working to ensure that Questar III programs continue to be in alignment with the needs of the local workplace.
Consultant Committees are an important part of CTE programs, ensuring content is up to date and teachers are kept abreast of changing industry trends.
Joan Rogers, chairperson of the CGEC Consultant Committee Breakfast Committee, says the event is a great opportunity for everyone who attends.
“Our instructors hear about innovations in their fields, the employers have the opportunity to share their future staffing needs, and members of the local Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development and other agencies are able to learn more about all the workforce preparation opportunities at Questar III. This is truly a win-win event for everyone, including our students, said Rogers.
Committee members agree that when businesses make connections with educators, everyone benefits.
Connections between educators and businesses are integral to ensuring our students are prepared for what comes next in their lives.
“In order to give the best experience to students, we must work as a community to decide what they need from our places and organizations,” said Selina Preyer-Blake, of the Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm.
Maddie Fischer also from Katchkie Farm said it’s not just the students who benefit.
“All of us are coming from the same industry, but we don’t get to interact with each other, so this is a great opportunity for us to share our common experiences.”
