First Mechatronics Lab in the Region to Provide Hands-on Learning that Focuses on Developing In-Demand Technical Skills
Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the grand opening of the $3 million, state-of-the-art, Mechatronics Lab located in The Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation at Dutchess Community College in the Town of Fishkill. Located at the college’s new Center of Excellence for Industry & Innovation, and the first mechatronics lab in the Mid-Hudson Region, the lab has three rooms that are set up as a Mechanical lab, an Electrical/Automation lab and a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning lab. The college will offer hands-on learning needed to support installation, maintenance, repair, calibration and troubleshooting of systems including controls and machine-to-machine networks. DCC’s grand opening coincides with the start of National Manufacturing Month, highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector to New York State.
“As businesses like Micron, IBM, and GlobalFoundries prepare to bring high-tech jobs to our state, the Mechatronic Lab at Dutchess Community College represents an important part of our effort to train New Yorkers for the jobs of the future,” Governor Hochul said. “This lab, in addition to our $350 million Office of Strategic Workforce Development, will help us continue to build a 21st century workforce ready to meet the needs of 21st century businesses in our state. A tremendous thank you to our partners for making this a reality for New York.”
First Lady Jill Biden said, “This new mechatronics lab will help students get the skills they need for the growing businesses here – preparing them for careers making everything from display screens to jet engines to semiconductors. As a community college professor myself, I’m so excited to see how this work changes people’s lives.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “From electrical technology to supply chain automation and much more, Dutchess Community College’s mechatronics lab will provide real-life hands-on learning to prepare students for jobs in growing fields like the semiconductor industry. We are thankful for the partnership that secured funding for this state-of-the-art facility from Dutchess County and New York State investment through SUNY and Empire State Development. This is an exciting opportunity for students and adult learners to successfully gain skills for jobs across the region.”