Pictured, from left, are Allison Conti, Jourdyn Cobb, and Alexis Birath. All three juniors from Falconer Central School are enrolled in the Conservation/Natural Resource Management program at the Hewes Educational Center. Submitted photo

Jourdyn Cobb is undoubtedly no stranger to heavy equipment. As a child, she recalls riding in an excavator with her dad while work was being done on her grandfather’s house.

“I remember just riding with him,” Cobb said of her father, a contractor by trade. “I knew when I got older I wanted to get into heavy equipment. They offered that here at BOCES, so that’s why I decided to get into this program.”

Cobb is one of three girls from Falconer Central School enrolled in Conservation/Natural Resource Management at the Hewes Educational Center. She is joined by Alexis Birath and Allison Conti, all juniors in the Career & Technical Education program.

Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES is recognizing Women in the Trades Month by highlighting students at each of its CTE centers.

Birath said she was drawn to the Conservation program by the prospect of being outdoors while in school. Among other things, students have been learning dendrology, the scientific study of trees, and the proper use of different equipment, both small and large.

“I’m looking to get into heavy equipment, so this is a great program to be in for something like that,” Birath said. “I’m just happy doing this kind of work, and I like being outside.”

Conti arrived at Hewes after her cousins spoke highly of the CTE programs available to juniors and seniors in high school. A familiarity with heavy equipment led her to the Conservation program.

“All my family does it on both sides,” Conti said. “I’ve seen them do this kind of work most of my life, and it just made me fall in love with it.”

Conti, who wants to travel south after high school for a union job in heavy equipment operation, encourages high schoolers who enjoy being outside and working with their hands to consider Conservation at E2CCB. She acknowledges that learning some of the machinery can intimidate some students.

“Whether you’re nervous or not, you just have to jump in and do it,” she said. “In the end, everything usually turns out really well.”

All three Falconer juniors want to see more women succeed in the industry.

“I’m always up for a challenge,” said Cobb, who also hopes to find work in a skilled trades union after graduation. “Seeing other women in this class is definitely a good thing and shows that we can be accomplished in this field.”

Birath said her Conservation class feels like family.

“Everyone here is just nice to each other,” she said. “I also think more women should get involved in this kind of work. I think some may be intimidated when considering this field. There’s really nothing to be worried about.”

Added Conti, “It’s amazing to see how many girls are starting to get involved.”