Saratoga County residents were confused last Thursday, September 17,
when the White House announced President Obama's decision to visit HVCC
and not Global Foundries in Malta, as presumed.
However, Obama's decision to speak at the community college was strategic, to say the least. The President chose Hudson Valley Community College to highlight not only the importance of secondary education, but to make clear the connection between economic recovery and education.
"I firmly believe that the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy," President Obama said.
In his speech, Obama discussed his goal to strengthen the Country's commitment to "basic research," which is conducted at colleges, universities and community colleges across the U.S., including HVCC.
Currently, HVCC is constructing a TEC-SMART facility in the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park (STEP) in Malta, to be ready for the spring semester. The project is a joint initiative between HVCC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and will also coincide with the Global Foundries semiconductor plant set for Malta at the Luther Forest Technology Park in 2011.
The TEC-SMART facility (Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative Renewable Technologies) will feature classrooms and labs for training the area's workforce in emerging technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing; alternative fuels; and photovoltaic, geothermal and wind energy.
"TEC-SMART will allow Hudson Valley Community College to continue its long standing commitment to the technology industry by providing the skilled workers it requires for the growing semiconductor manufacturing and renewable energy industries of today and tomorrow," Hudson Valley President Andrew J. Matonak said in a written statement.
"From biotechnology to nanotechnology, from the development of new forms of energy to research into treatments of ancient diseases, there is so much potential to change our world and improve our lives - while creating countless jobs all across America," Obama said in his speech.
And it all starts with education.
$13.5 million in state funding for TEC-SMART will help prepare a skilled high-tech workforce in the Capital region.
"This facility is going to become the premier center for hands-on education, and will establish New York State as a national leader in training for the high-tech industry," Joseph Bruno, former Senate Majority Leader, said in a written statement.
In the next 5 to 10 years, the HVCC program will send between 500 and 600 technicians into the growing high-tech industry. And it doesn't hurt that Global Foundries micro-chip fabrication plant is just a stone's throw away.
The Global Foundries facility in Malta will employ 1,400 high-tech workers, many of whom will possess a two year degree. The connection between both projects, one public and one private, exemplifies the proactive initiative that President Obama advocated at HVCC on Monday.
The Capital Region is a microcosm, showing how the country as a whole must and can integrate education and innovation to achieve economic stability and progression. Academic institutions must train a high-tech work force before America can be at the forefront of innovative clean-energy technologies.
"When we fail to invest in research, we fail to invest in the future," Obama said.
"I firmly believe that the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy," President Obama said.
In his speech, Obama discussed his goal to strengthen the Country's commitment to "basic research," which is conducted at colleges, universities and community colleges across the U.S., including HVCC.
Currently, HVCC is constructing a TEC-SMART facility in the Saratoga Technology and Energy Park (STEP) in Malta, to be ready for the spring semester. The project is a joint initiative between HVCC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, and will also coincide with the Global Foundries semiconductor plant set for Malta at the Luther Forest Technology Park in 2011.
The TEC-SMART facility (Training and Education Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Alternative Renewable Technologies) will feature classrooms and labs for training the area's workforce in emerging technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing; alternative fuels; and photovoltaic, geothermal and wind energy.
"TEC-SMART will allow Hudson Valley Community College to continue its long standing commitment to the technology industry by providing the skilled workers it requires for the growing semiconductor manufacturing and renewable energy industries of today and tomorrow," Hudson Valley President Andrew J. Matonak said in a written statement.
"From biotechnology to nanotechnology, from the development of new forms of energy to research into treatments of ancient diseases, there is so much potential to change our world and improve our lives - while creating countless jobs all across America," Obama said in his speech.
And it all starts with education.
$13.5 million in state funding for TEC-SMART will help prepare a skilled high-tech workforce in the Capital region.
"This facility is going to become the premier center for hands-on education, and will establish New York State as a national leader in training for the high-tech industry," Joseph Bruno, former Senate Majority Leader, said in a written statement.
In the next 5 to 10 years, the HVCC program will send between 500 and 600 technicians into the growing high-tech industry. And it doesn't hurt that Global Foundries micro-chip fabrication plant is just a stone's throw away.
The Global Foundries facility in Malta will employ 1,400 high-tech workers, many of whom will possess a two year degree. The connection between both projects, one public and one private, exemplifies the proactive initiative that President Obama advocated at HVCC on Monday.
The Capital Region is a microcosm, showing how the country as a whole must and can integrate education and innovation to achieve economic stability and progression. Academic institutions must train a high-tech work force before America can be at the forefront of innovative clean-energy technologies.
"When we fail to invest in research, we fail to invest in the future," Obama said.
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