ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Capital Region students will have a new career path available starting next year with a primary focus on helping others. Albany and Schoharie Capital Region BOCES students interested in pursuing a career as an emergency medical technician can begin learning the ropes at the beginning of the 2026 school year.
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The one-year course is offered only at the Career and Technical Education campuses in Albany and Schoharie and prepares students to respond confidently and effectively during a medical emergency. Aligned with the New York State Department of Health regulations, students who complete the program may apply to sit for the state’s basic certification exam, school officials said.
“Capital Region BOCES is always ready to rise to the occasion to help with workforce development in industries that are suffering shortages of skilled workers,” CTE Director Jeff Palmer said. “There may be no more critical shortage of workers than in emergency medicine, where virtually every provider is in need of skilled workers.”
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The NYS EMS Workforce Report for 2024 stated that between 2019 and 2022, the number of active EMS responders had declined by 17.5%. Palmer said Capital Region BOCES expects the new program to address the state and national shortage of EMTs.
“We hope that through these programs, Capital Region BOCES can provide the answer needed for the health and safety of the 911 systems in our region, and more importantly, of the citizens of our area,” Palmer said…