MCC Daily Tribune

Governor Hochul Celebrates Grand Opening of $3 million Dutchess Community College Mechatronics Lab

First Mechatronics Lab in the Region to Provide Hands-on Learning that Focuses on Developing In-Demand Technical Skills

First Lady Jill Biden Visits Grand Opening to Kick Off National Manufacturing Month

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the grand opening of the $3 million, state-of-the-art, Mechatronics Lab located in The Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation at Dutchess Community College in the Town of Fishkill. Located at the college’s new Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation, and the first mechatronics lab in the Mid-Hudson Region, the lab has three rooms that are set up as a Mechanical lab, an Electrical/Automation lab and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning lab. The college will offer hands-on learning needed to support installation, maintenance, repair, calibration and troubleshooting of systems including controls and machine-to-machine networks. DCC’s grand opening coincides with the start of National Manufacturing Month, highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector to New York State.

“As businesses like Micron, IBM, and GlobalFoundries prepare to bring high-tech jobs to our state, the Mechatronic Lab at Dutchess Community College represents an important part of our effort to train New Yorkers for the jobs of the future,” Governor Hochul said. “This lab, in addition to our $350 million Office of Strategic Workforce Development, will help us continue to build a 21st-century workforce ready to meet the needs of 21st-century businesses in our state. A tremendous thank you to our partners for making this a reality for New York.”

First Lady Jill Biden said, “This new mechatronics lab will help students get the skills they need for the growing businesses here – preparing them for careers making everything from display screens to jet engines to semiconductors. As a community college professor myself, I’m so excited to see how this work changes people’s lives.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “From electrical technology to supply chain automation and much more, Dutchess Community College’s mechatronics lab will provide real-life hands-on learning to prepare students for jobs in growing fields like the semiconductor industry. We are thankful for the partnership that secured funding for this state-of-the-art facility from Dutchess County and New York State investment through SUNY and Empire State Development. This is an exciting opportunity for students and adult learners to successfully gain skills for jobs across the region.”

Dutchess Community College President Peter Grant Jordan said, “Our new Mechatronics Lab in Fishkill is a prime example of how DCC is working to meet the economic and development needs of our region and state, while also providing a pathway to gainful employment for our community members,”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Empire State Development is laser-focused on innovative and smart projects that will grow the economy and provide opportunity for all New Yorkers. The state-of-the-art Mechatronics Lab located at the DCC’s new Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation, is the perfect addition to the community and complements the many new companies that are moving into the Mid-Hudson Region. By strategically investing in workforce development, especially in advanced manufacturing we are building a bright economic future for generations to come.”

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “It is critical that the Hudson Valley’s dedicated workers have the skills and resources needed to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs in New York’s booming advanced manufacturing industry. That’s why I am so excited to celebrate the grand opening of this brand-new Mechatronics Lab to supercharge Dutchess Community College’s Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation, training the next generation of workers in Dutchess County. The new workforce training facility is the boost DCC needs to help students get the hands-on experience needed to fill in-demand jobs in the Hudson Valley.”

Representative Pat Ryan said, “I have two boys, 1 and 4. What I want more than anything, what I’m sure all of you want more than anything, is for our kids to have good-paying jobs that allow them to raise their families here in the Hudson Valley. That’s the future I’m fighting for every day, and it's an honor to be joined by Dr. Biden, who I know shares that same mission. I’ll keep pushing to ensure every Hudson Valley family has the opportunity to succeed.”

Mechatronics combines the disciplines of mechanical systems, electrical systems, control systems, and computers. Manufacturing jobs pay 12 percent more in hourly compensation than comparable workers earn in the rest of the private sector and mechatronics is quickly emerging as the most in-demand discipline in its field. DCC has partnered with companies such as OnSemi, eMagin, and MPI to develop the creation of the curriculum and will be involved in offerings in the Electrical Technology Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree program and technical training. DCC is planning on expanding programs for middle and high school students, and students attending BOCES programs.

To support this project, Empire State Development provided a $435,000 Capital Grant recommended by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for construction and renovation and for the purchase of related equipment.

Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs and President & CEO of The Business Council of Westchester Dr. Marsha Gordon and President of SUNY Orange Dr. Kristine Young said, “As a hub for workforce development education and innovation, we are strategically investing in building a skilled pipeline of talent to fill the jobs and needs of manufacturers in the Mid-Hudson Region. We are proud that this state-of-the-art, Mechatronics Lab at Dutchess Community College is the first of its kind in the area, and confident that DCC will continue to fuel the regional economy through training the workforce of tomorrow.”

State Senator Rob Rolison said, "This strategic investment will create jobs, provide economic growth, and further strengthen the Hudson Valley's position as a leader in advanced 21st-century manufacturing. I applaud Governor Hochul and the ESD for their commitment to fostering emerging technologies and workforce training."

Assemblymember Anil Beephan said, "I am honored to stand alongside Governor Kathy Hochul in commemorating the inauguration of Dutchess Community College's cutting-edge mechatronics lab. DCC remains at the forefront of educational innovation, fostering a new era of learning through hands-on experiences that empower our students and prepare them for a thriving future in the workforce."

Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil said, “This is a great day for Dutchess County and the future of employment in our community. Dutchess County is proud to have invested $1.2 million in this mechatronics lab, our latest partnership with Dutchess Community College. Dutchess County remains committed to investing in our residents and our local economy, and this Mechatronics Lab will help ensure a skilled local labor force that is ready for the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. Building skill sets that help our residents secure well-paying jobs will have a lasting impact for our residents and our community for decades to come. We congratulate Dutchess Community College on this amazing new facility, and we look forward to tracking the local success stories that will begin here.”

Fishkill Town Supervisor Ozzy Albra said, “The Town of Fishkill was honored to welcome the First Lady of the United States today, to celebrate the future of our young people through hands-on education at DCC in Fishkill. Fishkill is proud of its fantastic relationship with Dutchess County and Dutchess Community College.”

President of the Manufacturer’s Association for the Hudson Valley, the Council of Industry Harold King said, “This lab is a tremendous resource for manufacturers and other industrial employers throughout the Mid-Hudson region. The equipment and curriculum were selected with the input of local manufacturers. DCC’s programs will help employers upskill current workers and build a pipeline of talent that is vital to the growth and expansion of the manufacturing sector.”

Chief Executive Officer of Think Dutchess Alliance for Business Sarah Lee said, “Dutchess County and the Mid-Hudson region has a strong base in advance manufacturing, our region needs qualified workers and I’m pleased Dutchess Community College is taking the lead in providing quality education and alternative pathways for quality jobs and careers.”

Assistant County Executive Ronald Hicks said, “Dutchess County continues to be one the forefront of economic and workforce development to meet the current and future needs of our businesses, simultaneously providing skill sets for our regional workforce to secure high-wage jobs and new opportunities. We are grateful to DCC for their partnership, and grateful to the County Legislature for their strong support and investment in our pipelines to jobs projects.”

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturing generates more than $75 billion in output and employs over 400,000 people in New York State with an average annual compensation of over $87,000. New York State is the only northeast state in the “Top 10” for reshoring manufacturing jobs and is the largest producer of rail transportation equipment in the nation. Governor Hochul also created the nation-leading Green CHIPS legislation which was vital to attracting the transformational $100 billion Micron project to Central New York, which will manufacture the next generation of memory chips and is expected to bring 50,000 to Upstate New York.

Captions:

Patrick Morris
Community Relations
10/09/2023