Category Archives: Education/ Training/ Personal Development

The Veterans Business Council (VBC) of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce announced in April the 2021 Veterans Business Council Scholarship Program.

Under the Program, one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a veteran or service member that lives in, attends college in, or works in Saratoga County.

The mission of the Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate opportunities for our military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Efforts will be to connect them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development.

The council will also seek additional opportunities in support of our local veterans.

Veterans interested in this opportunity should reach out to Denise Romeo at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce at 518-584-3255 or dromeo@saratoga.org. More information, to include online application, is also available at www.veteransbusinesscouncil.com.

The Veterans Business Council operates under the Saratoga County Foundation of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, and is made up of a select group of veterans who are business leaders in the region. The council works to facilitate opportunities for military veterans residing in Saratoga County, including offering scholarship opportunities and connecting them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development.

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors has launched the Saratoga County Women in Government Leadership Program, an initiative designed to educate high school girls about the functions and responsibilities of local government and inspire them to take on leadership roles at the local level.

The program was launched by the three women on the board of supervisors,  Jean Raymond, of the town of Edinburgh,  Tara N. Gaston of Saratoga Springs and Sandra Winney of the town of Providence.

“We need more women present in all levels of government, and there’s no better place to begin one’s public service journey than at the county level,” said state Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.  “As a former county clerk, I know firsthand how invaluable experience in local government can be and I’m proud to support this new program to educate and inspire our next generation of female local leaders.”

The program, developed in coordination with Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, will engage participants on topics including setting goals, overcoming obstacles, and building confidence. Saratoga County government women in leadership roles will apply these lessons to their experiences in local government.

“Representation and engagement lead to better communities,” said Gaston. “These experiences and relationships gained will benefit Saratoga County.”

Local business program Spark Saratoga has started a new partnership with Ureeka, a nationwide virtual community that empowers entrepreneurs.
Spark Saratoga, founded in 2017 by the Saratoga Economic Development Corp., was created to align early stage businesses with proven resources to accelerate growth. The program brings experienced business mentors, professionals, educational content and entrepreneurs together to help entrepreneurs’ bring their ideas to life.
Officials said now, Spark Saratoga is a community-based partner of Ureeka, which will provide access for area entrepreneurs and professionals to a curated network of experts.
As part of the Spark Saratoga 2.0 rollout marking its three-year anniversary, the collaboration with Ureeka will enable more efficient delivery of real time solutions for entrepreneurs and small businesses frequently struggling to find the right resource to help overcome problems in the way of their growth, according to the group.
Ureeka’s online community provides the scale and efficiency to democratize access to world-class expertise, business tools and access to capital. Spark Saratoga and its Innovate518 partners can utilize the platform to privately organize their members, facilitate conversations, make mentor connections and introduce qualified business resources.

By Christine Graf
New York State P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programs have been designed to address critical skilled labor shortages that are impacting manufacturing and technology companies throughout the state.
Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex Board of Cooperative (WSWHE BOCES) was the first to offer the program locally. It is called Southern Adirondack P-TECH.
“We were one of the first 16 cohorts (partnerships) in New York state to receive a seven-year grant to create the program. We received the grant in 2013, and that was a planning year for us. Our first cohort of students started in 2014 and are graduating this year,” said Kim Wegner, lead coordinator for Innovative Programs at WSHWHE BOCES.
“There wasn’t a lot of guidance. It was a thought and idea based off a program that launched in 2009 at a school in Brooklyn. (The state) decided they wanted to expand program across state. There were some guidelines, but we built the program as we moved through it. Where we are today is not where we were six or seven years ago.”
Each of the New York State P-TECH partnerships features a three-way alliance that includes local school districts, local businesses, and one or more SUNY or CUNY educational institution. Southern Adirondack P-TECH partners with SUNY Adirondack and local businesses and school districts. The program is currently offered to students at Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Hudson Falls, South Glens Falls, Corinth, and Hadley Luzerne school districts.
P-TECH is a six-year program that offers an integrated high school and college curriculum with a heavy emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Students who complete the program receive a Regent’s diploma, an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, and industry-specific credentials. The program is offered at no cost to students.