Senator Saland's Support Continues For Training At C-gcc

One of Columbia-Greene Community College's main training programs will receive an allocation of $109,100 from the state's 2006-07 budget through the efforts of state Sen. Stephen M. Saland, college officials announced today.

With the latest installment of state support, total funding for the Saland Employee Educational Development Program has reached $1,109,100 since its inception in 1994. The SEED program, administered by C-GCC, provides skills training to Columbia County manufacturers and associated businesses.

"The senator's long-term support of workforce training has been a driving force for our local economy," said college President James Campion. "His leadership in workforce development has been unparalleled, and he has put the college at the forefront of that effort."

To date, more than 3,400 employees have been trained in some 75 classes. Training has ranged from computer literacy and specialized software applications to industrial hydraulics and molding-machine operations.

"In Columbia County today, and indeed, throughout New York State, the ability of local businesses to remain viable and productive, is dramatically improved when they have access to a workforce that has the necessary skills needed to compete in the 21st century marketplace," said Sen. Saland. "Since I first assisted the SEED program in 1994, this program has consistently delivered critical job training programs for businesses and their employees in the Hudson Valley, with more than 3,000 workers having benefited from the training it provides. I am pleased to have secured this funding for Columbia-Greene Community College's SEED program and look forward to its continued success."

Participating companies have included Hudson-Catskill Newspapers, Kaz, Craftech Industries, Saturn Industries, Gingsberg's, L&B Contract Industries, Petersen-Geller-Spurge Corporation, W.B. McGuire, Dunn Builders Supply, Columbia Memorial Hospital, Mid-Hudson Media, R.H. VanAlstyne Fine Jewelers and Hudson Audio Visual Enterprises, all Hudson; Taconic Farms, Germantown; Sonoco-Crellin Corp. and Chatham Plastic Ventures, Chatham; Novapak, Philmont; Ceramaseal and Consolidated Fabricators, both New Lebanon; Tierra Farm, Valatie; and Ed Herrington, Hillsdale.

"Without question, the SEED program has become the go-to training resource for local industry," said Robert Bodratti, director of community services at C-GCC. "And training is varied and flexible, which enables companies to focus on their most pressing needs in an efficient manner."

For information about training programs at C-GCC, call the Community Services Office at (518) 828-4181, extension 3342.