Governor Cuomo Announces Grand Opening of Hudson Valley Community College's New Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills

Statement

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the grand opening of the Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, Rensselaer County. The 37,000-square-foot facility has doubled the total enrollment capacity in the college's Advanced Manufacturing Technology degree program to 288 students, and will help meet the demand for skilled labor at Capital Region manufacturers.

"When we invest in our workforce, we are creating a stronger New York by showing companies that we have the skilled labor they need to grow," Governor Cuomo said. "The Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills at Hudson Valley is the latest example of how the state is supporting projects that train and prepare New Yorkers for the jobs of today and tomorrow."

"We want to make sure individuals are trained for manufacturing jobs as demand continues to increase across the state," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Hudson Valley Community College's new Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills will train students with the skills they need for jobs of the future in the Capital Region and beyond. We are committed to investing in programs to help close the skills gap, ensure financial independence, and meet businesses' needs to expand and grow."

Hudson Valley Community College invested $14.5 million to build and outfit the new 37,000-square-foot facility. The project was supported by a $2.9 million Empire State Development grant, recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council (CREDC) during Round VII of the Regional Council initiative. Additionally, $1.5 million in federal funding was allocated through the Economic Development Administration. CAMS was also supported by gifts from private companies and donors, including a $1 million challenge grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Roger Ramsammy said, "The opening of the Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills symbolizes Hudson Valley's commitment to the future of our region. By building CAMS, we will be able to train twice as many students for skilled jobs in our local and state manufacturing industry, enriching their career prospects and providing the workforce the industry needs to continue to thrive. We are proud to be a partner in our region's economic growth, and we are grateful for the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and our leaders in New York State government, Empire State Development and the Capital Region Economic Development Council for investing funds to make this project possible."

ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "By further building our talent pipeline, the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills is growing the skilled workforce that will encourage manufacturers to expand in the Capital Region and around New York State."

Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The opening of the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills is timely, as New York has been seeing a rise in advanced manufacturing across the state. We're all well aware of the skills gap, so the more workers we can get trained in the new world of manufacturing the better. Increasing the capacity of the talent pipeline in this sector is good for our state and great for our workers because these jobs tend to pay well above the average state wage."

New York State Director of Workforce Development Madhuri Kommareddi said, "The Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills will help generate the trained advanced manufacturing employees that companies want and need. The program's 100% job placement rate is a testament to the importance of programs like these, and the high-demand for skilled workers in New York State."

CREDC Co-Chairs Dr. Havidán Rodríguez, University at Albany President, and Ruth Mahoney, KeyBank Market President, said, "Hudson Valley Community College's Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills is a vital component of our economic development efforts in the region. We recognized the potential of this project with a priority designation in Round VII, and are excited that even more students can pursue an advanced manufacturing career in the Capital Region."

Hudson Valley Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Technology degree program trains machinists, toolmakers and computer numerically controlled programmers. It is the only community college training program of its kind within 125 miles, and it has a 100% job placement rate for its graduates, with nearly all students securing work prior to graduation.

CAMS is designed to serve as a one-stop hub to support student training and encourage employee recruitment. The facility includes classrooms, a student advisement center, advanced manufacturing labs and Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) simulation computer workstations. The building's assets will support encourage greater networking and job placement by providing the school's corporate partners with access to offices and conference space adjacent to faculty offices, including spaces available for demonstrations, training activities, meetings and events that further connect the college to its workforce partners.

Senator Neil Breslin said, "Hudson Valley Community College's advanced manufacturing degree program been crucial to training the future employees of several local companies, and we're excited that even more students will have the opportunity to learn these vital career skills. Thanks to the support from Empire State Development and the CREDC, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems will serve as an important partner in the economic growth of the Capital Region, and I offer my congratulations to the school and its students."

Assembly Member John T. McDonald III said, "I proudly stand with Hudson Valley Community College today as they officially open the new Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills. This center will allow Hudson Valley to expand enrollment in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program, which is the only training program of its kind in the region. Thanks to this expansion, we will not only create a more skilled workforce but will increase economic growth in our area. I am happy to see this project come to fruition with the help of Empire State Development, the Economic Development Administration and many private companies and donors."

Assembly Member Phil Steck said, "My district includes many great advanced manufacturing facilities such as Simmons Machine Tool in Menands and Precision Valve in Latham. Our office is committed to building the workforce for maintaining and growing the manufacturing sector because those are good jobs for good wages. Consequently, we have given funding to the Advanced Manufacturing Program and congratulate HVCC on the tremendous growth in the Program."

Assembly Member Patricia Fahy said, "The new Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills will be the only training center of its kind serving the greater Capital Region. There is a shortage of advanced manufacturing skills in today's workforce - and with a 100% job placement rate - this program is an invaluable investment in tomorrow's workforce. This new addition to Hudson Valley Community College's campus will help to build a skilled manufacturing workforce for the future and contribute to the continuing economic growth of our region."

Troy Mayor Patrick Madden said, "The grand opening of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills at Hudson Valley Community College is another exciting development in the City of Troy. Thanks to support from ESD and the Capital Region Economic Development Council, more students will be able to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing, and having a talented pool of skilled employees will encourage more manufacturers to establish and expand in the Capital Region. I'm proud to celebrate this investment in our workforce with everyone from HVCC and CAMS."