Ellen Ditonto, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities business development coordinator, is pictured speaking to Careers in Advanced Manufacturing students from the P-TECH Academy.

(Springville) – Regional high school sophomore students enrolled in the Careers in Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) P-TECH program participated in a presentation entitled, “You Want a Job?” during their week-long Summer Bridge Program held recently.

Ellen Ditonto, Jamestown BPU Business development coordinator, offered students a preview of both hard and soft skills required in both the Electrical Construction Maintenance/Electrician and Information Technology career tracks.

Students were provided with examples of problem-solving, communications, initiative and time-management skills, all critically important skills required in today’s job market. Ditonto also highlighted some of the hard skills that students will learn as they progress through the P-TECH program.

“Each summer we invite an industry partner to speak with our students about the importance of employability skills,” said Heather Banks, CAM P-TECH Academy principal. “We focus on what makes someone employable, including both hard and soft skills.”

In their senior year, CAM P-TECH students are invited to visit the Jamestown BPU offices and tour the power plant and discuss positions in the electrical division with the utility’s Human Resources team.

CAM P-TECH Academy, offered through Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES, provides students with an innovative up-to-six-year pathway that combines high school, college, and industry experience. Students graduate with both a high school diploma and a no-cost associate degree from a higher educational partner. For more information, visit e2ccb.org.