New York officials say 16 new partnerships between state colleges, public schools and private companies will result in 6,000 students earning associate's degrees at no cost to their families and put them at the front of the line for those companies' skilled jobs in manufacturing, information technology and health care.
The so-called P-TECH model follows IBM's Pathways in Technology Early College High School program in New York City.
According to the governor's office, pending negotiation of each applicant's budget, they will enroll their first class in September 2014.
Partnerships have been designated for 10 regions statewide.
Companies include IBM in the Hudson Valley, GlobalFoundries in the greater Albany area, Arkwin Industries on Long Island and Catholic Health System in western New York.
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