Written by: Steve Melito, Industry Blog Writer for FuzeHub
School may be out for the summer, but New York State is learning some important lessons about training tomorrow’s manufacturing workforce. From Buffalo to the Capital Region, the public and private sectors are working together to fill the manufacturing skills gap. Meanwhile, “the world of manufacturing is changing very rapidly,” explains Linda Shadler, professor and associate dean of engineering at RPI.At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, the Manufacturing Innovation Learning Lab plans to add programs, equipment, and advanced manufacturing space. The project is still in the development phase, but RPI is targeting technologies such as 3D printing and micro and nano machining. At nearby Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), an advanced manufacturing program is already underway.
Across the Empire State, EWI New York is spearheading the Buffalo Billion initiative, which includes plans for an advanced manufacturing institute developed by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC). To train tomorrow’s workers, EWI will follow what operations manager Steve Levesque calls a “communiveristy model”.
Empire State Development (ESD), New York’s chief economic development agency, will play a key role in bridging the gap between the technologies developed at EWI New York, and the skills that local workers will need to commercialize them. According to ESD Regional Director Christina Orsi, “SUNY partners” will help provide training in advanced manufacturing.
View original stories: EWI Sets Course for Buffalo Manufacturing Process | RPI looks to fill manufacturing skills gap with expansion
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