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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

MCC receives a $100,000 grant to benefit area optics and imaging companies


Optics, imaging and photonics companies in the greater Rochester region will be able to benefit from a $100,000 State University of New York grant awarded to Monroe Community College.

Through the grant, MCC’s Office of Workforce Development – in partnership with the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster (RRPC) and the Printing Industries Alliance-Rochester region (PIA) – will facilitate a series of company-driven training programs that support business and talent development in the industries. The two umbrella organizations serve more than 110 Rochester-area companies.

“It’s going to provide much needed resources for Rochester-area members to conduct employee training,” Tim Freeman, president of PIA, says. “It will allow them to access funding support for training in a broad range of areas that will increase their productivity.”

To participate in the program, a company develops a training session, which may cover a variety of technical and soft skills, for its employees. The company may request MCC’s assistance to recruit training providers or other member companies to participate in the sessions. The grant, which supports training through the end of July, will cover 80 percent of a company’s costs.

“Any kind of training grant that helps defray the costs of keeping our workforce up to date and keeping them competitive with other companies is a great benefit,” Thomas Battley, executive director of RRPC, says. “It will have an impact on the industries and the companies.”

If you have any questions please contact Chuck Caples at extension 1429.

Chuck Caples
Office of Workforce Development
12/02/2008