NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Hundreds of local students were recognized for their achievements Friday morning at the 12th Annual Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES School and Business Alliance Breakfast in New Hartford.

The breakfast was attended by students from Brookfield, Clinton, Holland Patent, New York Mills, Oriskany, Remsen, Utica, Waterville, Westmoreland and Whitesboro as well as representatives from 45 local businesses.

It provides an opportunity for students to network with future potential employers.

"This is really a culmination of a number of opportunities that our business community offers to students," said OHM BOCES District Superintendent Howard Mettelman. "They participate in internships, job shadowing and career fairs."

Several local companies were recognized at the breakfast as a thank you for providing these students with real world experience.

"We have many students that will get an experience in one of our local businesses and as a result of that experience they may decide that is a career that they want to pursue." said Mettelman. "Of equal importance, they may decide that's a career they don't want to pursue."

The School and Business Alliance has been providing opportunities to local students since 1991.