More than 150 economic partners, industry leaders, educators, and students from across the region gathered at the HFM BOCES Career and Technical Education Center on Friday, Dec. 5, for the inaugural Workforce Summit event focused on shaping the future of the area’s workforce and the link to pre-K through grade 12 education.
The event served as a platform to help foster dialogue among students, industry representatives, and school district representatives.
Roundtable sessions focused on four key areas, including building the future workforce, identifying the skills that matter most after graduation, aligning education with career pathways, and understanding what businesses will need over the next ten years.
Nick Capece, Supply Chain General Manager at Walmart’s Johnstown Distribution Center, was among the industry leaders who participated in the Workforce Summit.
Michael DiMezza, Director of Workforce Development and CTE at HFM BOCES, said the first-time event exceeded expectations.
“This inaugural Workforce Summit was an incredible opportunity to bring together educators, business leaders, and workforce partners for meaningful conversations about the future of our region,” DiMezza said. “The level of engagement from participants shows how committed our community is to preparing students with the skills and opportunities that matter most.”
Nick Capece, Supply Chain General Manager at Walmart’s Johnstown Distribution Center, was among the industry leaders who participated in the Workforce Summit. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between educators and employers.
“There was tremendous engagement from everyone involved, and I’m eager to take the next steps to turn these ideas into real solutions for our local communities,” Capece said.
He added that the Workforce Summit underscored why more events like this are needed.
“When educators and employers come together, we stop guessing and start building the skills students need for success.”
The Workforce Summit was a joint effort between HFM CTE and the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce and is part of the Career Support Series, which aims to expand regional economic growth and workforce development.
Nicole Walrath-VanAlstyne, Director of Workforce Development at the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the Workforce Summit.
“The Workforce Summit was pivotal in bringing together all of our strategic partners, especially our dedicated industry partners to share insights, align our efforts, and continue building meaningful opportunities for students,” she said. “Their commitment and collaboration play a critical role in helping us identify solutions, remove barriers, and ensure that every student has access to the tools, connections, and support they need to thrive in the years ahead.”
Upcoming events in the series include ‘Women in the Workforce’ which will take place in March and ‘Career Con’ and ‘Career Expo’ in April.
