The Career and Technical Institute’s Main Advisory Council biannual meeting was held April 25 in the Conference Center at Dutchess BOCES with a goal of exploring ways to expand and improve programs to prepare CTI students for the work force in the Hudson Valley.
“The idea here is really everybody has a voice and that feedback helps shape what we do programmatically,” said CTI Principal Nicholas Millas.
There were representatives from colleges, businesses, community organizations, and CTI staff and students.
“I’m just grateful for all these folks who take time out of their busy day to join us and provide us with input that certainly we can in turn support our students with,” said Millas.
Millas updated the council on the Perkins Grant, saying $442,580 is being allocated for the 2023-2024 school year, compared to $291,314 in the current school year, with the money being used to add staff and upgrade equipment.
He also announced to the council that Millbrook’s Anna Bonelli and Pine Plains’ Nick Scaffidi are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of CTI’s Class of 2023. 
Sharon Myers, CTI’s job placement specialist/work-based learning coordinator, made a presentation on work-based learning opportunities through field trips, internships, co-ops/paid or unpaid, apprenticeships, extended learning and clinical for early childhood and nursing students.
Myers said CTI is always looking for additional partners from the business community. CTI enrollment is expected to jump from 620 in the current school year to 776 in 2023-2024.
“We need partners and today is about our partners,” she said. “It’s about having them know exactly what they can do and getting ideas from them of what they want to do and then moving forward to make it just that much more successful for our students to get out in the real world to work.”
Myers added students face the decision of joining the work force, furthering their education or doing both.
“I think the kids this year are doing really well understanding where their needs are and where they want to go whether they do want to work or go to college, and the fact they can do both,” she said.