Skip to main content

MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Reynolds' Secures $200k for Workforce Development


Following is a news release and article that appeared in Friday's Democrat and Chronicle on funds that are designated for new advanced technology training through MCC's Workforce Development.

In the D&C:
Monroe Community College will develop advanced technology training for three industries important to the Rochester economy and train high school students and existing workers with $200,000 in federal funding. MCC will work with the Rochester City School District to create coursework and a lab that will be housed at the School of Engineering and Manufacturing at Edison Technical and Occupational Education Center. Students will learn about new technologies now required at the area's manufacturing companies. They will train on equipment found in today's hi-tech manufacturing processes and will gain an understanding of hydraulics and electronics, networked systems, computer-aided design and automation. The funds are included in the fiscal year 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill recently approved by a House panel; the bill still needs to be signed into law.

News release:
Monroe Community College will develop advanced technology training for three industries important to the Rochester area economy and train high school students and existing workers with $200,000 secured by U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds.

MCC will collaborate with the Rochester City School District in creating coursework and establishing a lab that will be housed at the School of Engineering and Manufacturing at Edison, 655 Colfax St.

“Congressman Reynolds’ support underscores the importance of successfully preparing the region’s workforce in the optics/photonics, precision manufacturing and print/imaging industries,” said Monroe Community College President R. Thomas Flynn.

“Estimates show these industries will need upwards of 2,500 employees over the next five years in the Rochester area alone. We need to train tomorrow’s workforce on state-of-the-art equipment so that those employees can help their companies compete successfully in the global economy,” Flynn said.

Teenage and adult students will learn the many new skills, caused by advances in technology, that are now required at the area’s manufacturing companies. They will train on equipment found in today’s hi-tech manufacturing processes and will gain a wider breadth of knowledge in hydraulics and electronics, networked systems, and computer-aided design and automation.

“This collaboration will have a significant impact on our ability to prepare students for successful careers in the hi-tech industries,” said Rochester Superintendent of Schools Dr. Manuel J. Rivera. “It will ensure they have the skills and practical experience to fully meet the needs of our local workforce and to pursue further studies in these fields at the college level.” 

Through the partnership between MCC and the School of Engineering and Manufacturing at Edison, high school students in the four schools on the Edison Campus will receive classroom education and hands-on training in the lab during the day and existing workers will use the lab in the evening.

The funds are included in the fiscal year 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill recently approved by the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.

Dianne E McConkey
Public Affairs
06/26/2006