This school year, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) community at Wayne Education Center and Wayne Technical and Career Center was proud to welcome a familiar face in a brand-new role designed to create new opportunities for all students.

After years of dedicated service as a driver in the transportation department, Eric DeTaeye has stepped into the classroom to lead an innovative new CTE program that is already making a meaningful impact on students: F.O.R.G.E. 

Recognizing a growing need last spring, district leaders identified an opportunity to better serve students who were eager to explore career options, but not yet ready to commit to a single CTE pathway. From that vision, the F.O.R.G.E. program was developed. F.O.R.G.E. stands for Focus on Readiness for General Employment and was successfully launched this school year at the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Wayne Education Center, connected to the Wayne Technical and Career Center. 

F.O.R.G.E. is designed as a gateway experience, offering students the flexibility to discover their interests while building essential, transferable skills. Under Eric’s leadership, the program emphasizes career readiness through hands-on learning and real-world applications. Students engage in activities that strengthen communication skills, develop an understanding of workplace expectations, and reinforce the importance of shop safety across industries. 

A key highlight of the program is the opportunity for students to earn their OSHA-10 certification, an industry-recognized credential that provides foundational knowledge of workplace safety and gives students a valuable advantage as they pursue future training or employment. 

Eric brings a unique perspective to the classroom, blending his background in transportation with a genuine passion for supporting students as they explore their futures. His ability to connect with students and create a supportive, engaging learning environment has been instrumental in the program’s early success. 

The F.O.R.G.E. program serves as a powerful bridge for students in our exceptional learner’s program, preparing them to transition into NYSED-approved CTE programs with greater confidence and direction, or to pursue meaningful employment opportunities after graduation. By removing the pressure to immediately choose a specific pathway, F.O.R.G.E. opens doors and empowers students to make informed decisions about their careers. As the program continues to grow, it stands as a testament to innovation in CTE and the impact of meeting students where they are.