Three years ago, Ronnie Kibet never imagined he would be studying to be an electrician in Guilderland, NY.
Today, that’s exactly what he’s doing. Kibet is a junior at Guilderland High School and is enrolled in the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School. He’s a part of the electrical trades program, training to be an electrician.
Kibet’s journey to becoming an electrician began three years ago when he relocated to the United States with his mother. At the time, his mother was looking to start a new life and career, ultimately finding her way to Guilderland, NY where Kibet enrolled in Guilderland High School, and eventually in the CRB Career and Technical School.
Even though no one in his family has ever been an electrician, Kibet said he decided on the profession because it seemed interesting. “I like that we get to learn all of this stuff. In Kenya, we learned the basics, but nothing like this,” he said while wiring an electrical box in a BOCES Electrical Trades laboratory. He continued by saying “I like that the class is hands-on, and the learning”.
Kibet is set to graduate from Guilderland High School and BOCES in 2023, then plans to find a job in the electrical field. “I want to be an electrician. I like that you are always up and working,” he said.
Kibet is one of 91 students currently learning fundamental skills in electrical theory through classroom instruction and hands-on work. Students in the two-year program learn basic electrical skills and cutting edge, 21st-century green technologies—all of which prepares them for the in-demand field of electrical trades.
Enrollment for the 2022-23 school year is currently underway. View more information on career and technical education programs.
