— Photo from Mike McCagg of BOCES

Demetreus Stoddard, a Guilderland senior in the Capital Region BOCES Manufacturing and Machining Technology program, is one of a handful of students doing work-based learning at area manufacturers. “I work two days a week at Ren Tools,” Stoddard said, where he is making stainless-steel brackets. “It’s amazing to be able to go to work while in school … I have a lot to learn, but it’s fun and I am learning so much.” Patrick Belletti, co-owner of Ren Tools and Manufacturing, said, “I would like at least nine full-time workers. I’ve got the business, I’ve got the machines, but it’s very hard to find the qualified machinists. It’s actually impossible.” Stoddard, who plans to attend Universal Technical Institute next year to learn how to use a CNC — Computer Numerical Control — machine, said manufacturing is an outlet for his creativity. “It’s fun. It doesn’t even feel like work,” he said.