Signing Day: CV-TEC Celebrates Young Professionals

This year, CV-TEC proudly introduced a brand-new event designed to shine a spotlight on the young professionals who are completing their Career and Technical Education programs and stepping directly into the professional world.

The SkillsUSA Signing Day was a resounding success, offering a momentous occasion to celebrate not only the students’ hard work and dedication but also the partnerships that make these transitions into the workforce possible.

Much like athletic signing days where student-athletes commit to colleges, CV-TEC’s Signing Day offered a platform for students to publicly commit to their future employers. Surrounded by family, friends, educators, and industry representatives, these young professionals signed to begin careers in their respective trades, many of them with local and regional companies that value the training and experience CV-TEC provides.

The event highlighted the achievements of students from across a variety of programs and gave recognition to 21 participating companies who joined the celebration. These businesses not only came to witness their future employees take the next step in their careers but also showed incredible support, many providing company-branded gear, tools, and merchandise to welcome their new hires.

“We are helping make connections through work-based learning right in their programs and out in the workforce,” said Sherry Snow, Student Services Coordinator. “This Signing Day event is recognizing that effort and celebrating all of the students’ hard work to get to this point.”

When CV-TEC first considered organizing a Signing Day, there were only a few similar events happening across New York State. Inspired by the positive outcomes seen in other CTE centers, the CV-TEC team knew this kind of recognition was something their students and community deserved. More than just a celebration, this event served as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of CV-TEC’s programs in preparing students for real-world success.

Every student who participated had the opportunity to step forward with their new employer, shake hands, and formally sign on to begin their careers after graduation. The moment was not only symbolic, but deeply meaningful, signifying the transition from student to professional and affirming the value of career and technical education.

“It was so moving to watch the respect all these amazing businesses gave to our young professionals. Having a ceremony like this was so long overdue and a sign of how impactful CV-TEC programming can be,” said Michele Friedman, Executive Director of CV-TEC.

The success of this first SkillsUSA Signing Day has set a high standard for future events. It demonstrated the power of community, the importance of recognizing career education, and the incredible potential of students when given the right tools, training, and opportunities.