Over the last two years GCEDC had over 21 site visits by 10 high-tech companies who were interested in locating in Genesee County but expressed their concern that our area lacked the skilled workforce needed for their operations. Seeking to put these concerns to rest, the GCEDC was awarded a $750,000 innovative grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal for infrastructure in its’ Buffalo East Technology Park and to create a pilot workforce training program. To this end, the GCEDC solicited a partnership with Genesee Community College (GCC) and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to plan, design, and implement a training model to attract high-tech companies.
John Jakubowski, workforce development consultant for GCEDC has worked to develop the partnerships for the new training program. "The project goal is to attract and sustain advanced manufacturing companies in our community and create jobs" stated Jakubowski. "GCEDC cannot do this alone and has teamed up with Genesee Community College (GCC) and The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to implement a workforce development pilot training program. This program will serve as a model for future programs, designed to prepare participants for careers in advanced manufacturing and nano-technology."
Jerry Kozlowski, Associate Vice President for Workforce Development at GCC summed-up the effort. "This is a unique program for local businesses as well as for all Genesee County residents. It’s about partnerships, it’s about regionalism, and it’s about focused workforce development. I see it as a beginning, a model if you will, where those of us involved in local economic development are helping to provide an effective pipeline between employer and employee needs. It’s truly The BEST Center at its best!"
Individuals will have the opportunity to attend sessions that will train them in the basic skills needed for jobs in advanced manufacturing and nano-technology. These training sessions will be funded through the grant for the initial pilot program. Course work will include work readiness skills, metrics, and an introduction to lean manufacturing to name a few of the topics at GCC. Hands on experiences will continue at RIT in lean and advanced manufacturing and nano-tech workshops in quality controls, microelectronics, photovoltaics, surface mount technology and optics among others.
"RIT is synonymous with career-oriented education as evidenced by our strong co-op program," says Dr. Michael A. Jackson, Associate Professor and Outreach Director for Microelectronic Engineering at RIT. "We welcome the opportunity to partner with GCC and GCEDC to create a competitive, high-tech workforce here in Western New York."
This program will become the needed training component to attract and sustain advanced manufacturing companies within our community. This pilot training program is designed to prepare our Genesee County workforce for jobs in Advanced Manufacturing and High Tech industries. “The Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing and Nano-Tech Concepts will give high tech Genesee County companies or new companies looking to locate in Genesee County the ability to save time and money on introductory training,” stated Steve Hyde, President and CEO of GCEDC.
The courses are slated to begin in the fall of 2011 and participant recruitment will begin in April of 2011. Applications and information will be available at the Genesee County Career Center, located in the East Town Plaza, after April 1st. Interested parties may also visit the GCEDC website at www.gcedc.com as updates will be posted frequently.