SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher wants the Hudson Valley manufacturing industry and the college system to get on the same page when it comes to preparing students for jobs in their industry. Hudson Valley Correspondent Hank Gross has more on Zimpher’s address to the Council of Industry on Tuesday.
Zimpher explained to the Council of Industry on Tuesday her plans to strengthen the bond between SUNY and the council.
Zimpher urged the council to list their job requirements for employees so that SUNY can implement those needs into their degree programs.
The chancellor also explained a program called SUNY Works. It collaborates SUNY with business, industry and regional economic councils, providing students with internships, preferably paid.
“We want to be the mixer, the switching station, for placements that you have in your companies where we can get our students into your businesses, your industries, your manufacturing venues, while they are still in our program,” she said. “It would be really nice if you would pay them something because they can’t hold that outside job and still go to college and still get ready for your job.” Displaced workers who are unemployed due to outsourcing would also benefit from internships and co-ops. The chancellor said SUNY would help connect these workers with council members giving them internships that may result in a full time job.
