Clara Cummings Wins 2026 ACTEA Business Partner Award

Empire State Mines' human resources director receives recognition for her work supporting career and technical education.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Internships

Vector editorial illustration of a yellow hard hat and coiled rope on a slate ledge before a dark tunnel framed by a wooden beam, evoking underground mining training. — Empire State Mines HR director Clara Cummings received the 2026 ACTEA Business Partner Award for expanding work-based learning with St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Clara Cummings, human resources director at Empire State Mines, received the 2026 Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators Business Partner Award. The honor recognizes her company's expanded work-based learning partnership with St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES students at Southwest Tech.

Why it matters

The award recognizes business partners whose commitment to career and technical education creates opportunities for students and strengthens the future workforce. For New York readers, it highlights how employers are working directly with BOCES programs to build local talent pipelines.

The partnership spans six work-based learning program areas at Southwest Tech, including Heavy Equipment Operations, Metalworking, Automotive Technology, Electrical Technologies, Building Trades and Emergency Medical Careers. The award was presented in 2026, though the source does not report participation counts or placement totals.

The players

Empire State Mines

A mining company that has partnered with St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES to offer hands-on internship and scholarship opportunities for career and technical education students.

Association of Career and Technical Education Administrators

A professional organization that presents the annual Business Partner Award to employers who support career and technical education programs.

The details

Empire State Mines expanded work-based learning opportunities for St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES students at Southwest Tech. The company developed an underground mining internship program and sponsors an annual scholarship for graduates earning a New York state technical endorsement.

2026: Cummings receives the ACTEA Business Partner Award

Market Landscape

The ACTEA Business Partner Award recognizes employers whose work with career and technical education programs builds regional workforce pipelines. Cummings' recognition reflects a broader pattern of industry partners taking active roles on advisory committees and regional workforce planning efforts.

Students interested in hands-on training should ask their local BOCES about work-based learning placements in technical fields. Scholarships tied to state technical endorsements may be available for graduates pursuing these career paths.

The takeaway

Employer partnerships with BOCES programs give students direct exposure to skilled trades before graduation. Students exploring technical careers can contact their local BOCES to learn about available placements.