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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Optics Program Hits Front Page News


The following story appeared on the front page of the Democrat and Chronicle and generated over 150 calls through the week. Bob Lasch's ear hurts and voice is strained! He has scheduled two 1.5-hour information sessions at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, and Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Applied Technologies Center, 2485 West Henrietta Rd. The sessions will cover a breadth of topics including academic coursework, class schedules, student support services and financial aid. Please share the dates and times with anyone you know who may be interested.

 
Optics training program has room for job-seekers

HYPERLINK "mailto:dtyler@democratandchronicle.com"David Tyler
Staff writer

(September 5, 2006) — A program to train workers for jobs in the regional optics industry is having trouble drawing enough students.

Monroe Community College is seeking to train workers in optical fabrication, a mix of the optics and precision machining expertise for which the school is known.

The program, a partnership among MCC, Monroe County and optics and photonics manufacturers, was introduced in December and patterned after a similar program in precision manufacturing. At the time, officials said area optics companies anticipated needing 100 trained employees per year for the next five years.

"I think that might end up being conservative," said John Hart, president of the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster, an industry group that is a sponsor of the MCC program. "The need is there. We had a board meeting recently, and our members are looking to hire."

Bob Lasch, the program coordinator at MCC's Applied Technology Center, said he has space for eight to 10 more students in the program this fall. He said the sponsors are working to get the word out.

"The optics guys are waiting with open arms. I guess people don't realize the need is there."

Technician jobs for program graduates usually command entry-level wages of $10 to $14 an hour. Over time, technicians can make more than $60,000 a year, Hart said.

HYPERLINK "mailto:DTYLER@DemocratandChronicle.com"DTYLER@DemocratandChronicle.com

Dianne E McConkey
Public Affairs
09/11/2006