September 12, 2024 – Stone Ridge, NY – SUNY Ulster announces it will receive $199,376 from the Department of Energy as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster the development of clean energy workforce training programs with a focus on good jobs that do not require a four-year degree.
This grant will enable SUNY Ulster to create a robotics lab on the Stone Ridge campus and develop an expanded course in robotics for students majoring in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing. Because the course is available to manufacturing apprentices throughout the region, local manufacturers can train their technicians in process automation that will increase efficiency and save energy.
The Council of Industry, a leading regional manufacturing association as well as several local manufacturers have made commitments to work together with SUNY Ulster to provide expertise and contribute to the development of curriculum. Harold King, president of the Council stated, “SUNY Ulster’s proposal to develop robotics modules for digital automation of manufacturing production is right in line with the skills needed by our member companies. Efforts like these to increase the capabilities of our manufacturers to build production efficiencies will result in higher productivity and energy savings as our community moves toward green manufacturing solutions.”
The creation of a robotics course of study will provide students with another pathway into a great career right here in the Hudson Valley. SUNY Ulster provides numerous scholarships and grants to cover the cost of education for eligible students. Its New Start program is specifically designed to support qualifying students with resources for tuition, childcare, and tutoring. Through partnerships with local manufacturers, SUNY Ulster students may be hired as apprentices where they receive funds for education and training while they earn wages. In science and technology programs, SUNY Ulster specializes in supporting neuro-diverse students, including those on the autism spectrum.
“The United States Department of Energy’s commitment to supporting community colleges and most importantly, SUNY Ulster, through federal funding to expand robotics and advanced manufacturing pathways at our College is vital as we fulfill our mission to educate the
individual and elevate the community,” says Alison Buckley, Ed.D., president of SUNY Ulster. “SUNY Ulster is leveraging these funds while being responsive to employer needs and serving the residents of Ulster County through upskilling and on and off-ramps to affordable access to higher education. We are positioned to assist all students in Ulster County and expand our workforce training and career pathways for neuro-divergent learners.”
“Congratulations to SUNY Ulster on securing this U.S. Department of Energy award, which will help develop the skilled workforce we need for the new green economy and is perfectly aligned with the mission of the Workforce Innovation Center we are creating at iPark 87,” added Ulster County Executive, Jen Metzger. “Shifting to a green economy isn’t just good for our climate and our health – it’s also a massive job creator, and SUNY Ulster continues to be a leader in equipping our residents with the knowledge and skills to take advantage of these family-sustaining job opportunities.”
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