September 25, 2026 – Stone Ridge, NY – October 2nd is National Manufacturing Day, and SUNY Ulster is highlighting the growing opportunities available in advanced manufacturing and the critical role SUNY Ulster plays in preparing students for rewarding careers through programs and workforce training to meet growing regional employer needs.
Manufacturing is changing—and so are the skills needed to build, operate, and maintain the technologies driving the industry forward. It is no longer defined solely by traditional factory-floor production. Today’s advanced manufacturing operations increasingly incorporate computer-aided design and manufacturing, CNC machining, robotics, automation, 3D printing, precision measurement, digital technologies, and sophisticated quality-control systems.
While the tools have changed, the need for skilled workers has not. To meet the need for increasingly sophisticated equipment, SUNY Ulster is commemorating the day by giving senior students a 20-piece tool kit of precision measuring equipment valued at approximately $400. And, to make it easier for busy adults to gain advanced manufacturing skills, the College has added evening and weekend classes in addition to in-person daytime, hybrid, and online classes.
“It’s very rewarding to work with all the diverse manufacturing companies in the Hudson Valley and to train talent to work at these companies. Students can complete an industry credential within one semester and gain enough skills to apply for a local job,” says Barbara Reer, Assistant Dean of Community Programs. “We see students who hold degrees outside of manufacturing that come to us because they know they’ll be able to find a job once they complete coursework.”
The partnership with local businesses is a win-win for all. Students learn skills that provide them with higher-paying career opportunities. Those in apprenticeship programs earn while they learn. Employers get workers with the exact skills they need to grow their businesses. And, SUNY Ulster fulfills its mission to educate individuals and elevate our community.
The Council of Industry, the Hudson Valley’s premier manufacturing association, writes that for many firms in the region both a “lack of a skilled and ready workforce” and workers nearing retirement are their biggest challenges. SUNY Ulster is meeting their needs through noncredit courses, certifications, and apprenticeship programs as well as an Associate of Occupational Studies in Advanced Manufacturing. The College and manufacturers are working together to fill the more than 3 million manufacturing jobs that are expected to open up in the coming years.
Jason Novak, coordinator of the Advanced Manufacturing A.O.S., certificate, and microcredential programs at SUNY Ulster encourages those looking for a pathway to a well-paying career to “take advantage of the opportunity to join a hands-on internship-based program with industry partners throughout the Hudson Valley.”
The Advanced Manufacturing A.O.S. is also part of the new SUNY Reconnect program which offers free Associate degrees to adults 25-55 with no prior degree. The program pays for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. At a time when affordability is top of mind, SUNY Ulster is limiting the financial burden of college.
About SUNY Ulster
SUNY Ulster is a community college of the State University of New York, serving Ulster County and the Hudson Valley with high-quality, affordable education to over six thousand students annually across 70 academic programs. The college offers transfer and career programs, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare students for success in college, careers, and their communities.
# # #