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Students at Eastern Suffolk BOCES of Oakdale are turning classwork into real work, fixing car in a Islip Town garage as part of a new internship program developed by BOCES and Islip.
Three BOCES students are participating in the pilot program, interning at the Department of Public Works (DPW) mechanics workshop in Central Islip. The teens are each paired with an experienced DPW mechanic twice a week, learning the step-by-step process of automotive repair from start to finish.
The interns have taken to the program so well that their supervisor said that — if there are openings — he’d probably offer the trio jobs after graduation.
“So far, so good,” said Vincent Messina, Islip Town’s Central Vehicle Repair Fleet manager, in a town-produced video about the program. “The three students we have are a great fit. They’re very ambitious, and ready to go.”
The interns said they are soaking up as much knowledge as they can during their time in the shop.
“I think this internship is going to help me to move on with my career, to help me be a professional auto mechanic,” Jose Alvarado, one of the interns, said in the video.
Fellow intern Matthew Paolicelli agreed: “I want to know more about how heavy duty machinery works. I’ve definitely been able to use what I’ve learned at BOCES. “
Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter noted how beneficial the program is to the town, BOCES and the students.
“Interns are chosen based upon their strong academic performance, their enthusiasm and passion for automotive repair,” she said. “Our staff has been impressed by their work.”
BOCES is always looking for opportunities to get its students exposed to “hands-on experience,” Carol Donahue, BOCES Work Experience coordinator said.
“We like to see what our students do (in BOCES) translate to a work environment,” she said during the town’s video.
Islip Personnel Director Arthur Abbate said the internship program motivates the high schoolers to choose a career path.
“These students are able to see the practical side of their technical training, and whether a particular career path is right for them,” he said. “We are continually discussing opportunities that benefit BOCES students in different capacities at the town.”
Click here to watch the town’s video of the BOCES program.
