Senator Steve Saland Announces Funding For Dutchess Community College

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) today announced he has secured funding in the 2008-2009 State Budget for the continuation of a training program at Dutchess Community College.

The highly successful program provides workforce training to companies in Dutchess County. Companies taking part in the program have indicated the training has allowed them to remain successful in an exceptionally competitive business climate.

“Having the ability to attract a skilled workforce has brought a number of companies to Dutchess County,” said Senator Saland. “The positive impact on the County in terms of well paying jobs and the ripple effect on the overall economy cannot be understated. I commend President David Conklin for his commitment to this program and congratulate him on its success. I am most pleased to have been able to secure the funding for the continuation of this successful program”.

According to Dr. David Conklin, President of Dutchess Community College, “The need for workforce training has grown tremendously due to an increasingly competitive environment and a slowdown in the economy. With the leadership of Senator Saland in securing this training grant, Dutchess Community College will be able to assist small and mid-sized companies in Dutchess County to upgrade the skills of their workers. As a result, these companies will be able to remain competitive, as well as respond to changing workforce demands.

“With the assistance of Senator Saland, Dutchess Community College has received New York State Legislative funds for the past fourteen years to support the workforce training needs of local businesses. Since 1994, over $1,207,360 has been awarded for training programs; over 5,100 employees have been trained, and approximately 155 companies from various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and retail, have participated in the training programs. Over 200 courses, such as Microsoft Office Suite Software Training, Leadership Development, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Basic Electronics, Sales Success Practices, Quality Customer Service, ESL for the Workplace, OSHA and Crane Safety, Statistical Processing Control, and Lean Manufacturing, have been offered. Projected training projects include Green Training Initiatives, Strategic Planning, Business Assessment, Lean Manufacturing, and ESL in the Workplace,” Dr. Conklin added.

Dr. Conklin provided examples of the companies that have been able to take advantage of these grants by providing a 25% cash match: Dutchess Recreational Vehicles, Mr. Rooter Plumbing, Inc., Spectral Systems LLC, Chemprene, Package Pavement Corporation, Stanfordville Machine & Manufacturing Company, NXP Semiconductors, Dutchess Quarry, Red Cap Cleaners, Gap Inc., Arnoff Moving and Storage, Adams Fairacre Farms, James Taylor Manufacturing Company, Kirchhoff Construction Management, Darling Sand and Gravel, the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, Schatz Bearing Company, and the Council of Industry, which is a business consortium group with twenty-five participating companies.