518-377-9430
Over Five Years, Training Grant Could Total $15 Million
Program Recognized for Helping Grads Land Over 1,000 New Jobs
SCHENECTADY – Dr. Steady H. Moono, President of Schenectady County Community College, today joined with Schenectady County leaders to announce that SCCC has received one of the largest awards in the College’s 46-year history by securing a $3 million healthcare job training grant that is renewable for five years, bringing the total award to $15 million. The funding was announced today by Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko.
Dr. Moono said, “This is a proud day for SCCC, and this award is national recognition for our outstanding healthcare training programs.”
Dr. Moono thanked Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Tonko for their strong support and leadership in securing the new grant funding. He also thanked the Schenectady County Legislature, the College Board of Trustees and key program staff, led by Project Director Dr. Tiziana Rota.
In 2010, SCCC received a Healthcare Program Opportunities Grant (HPOG) for $11.45 million to train workers for careers in the healthcare sector. This funding was targeted to help residents of Schenectady County and the Capital Region who were unemployed or on public assistance. The goal was to provide training that would help these individuals find work in the healthcare field.
Gary Hughes, SCCC Trustee and Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development said, “The results from this first grant were simply fantastic. Over 1,600 students started training, 1,469 completed training and 1,049 went to work in the health care field. These are outstanding job-creating results that helped us win this new funding.”
“Schenectady County and our Community College continue to lead in creating meaningful jobs for our residents, like those in the fast growing healthcare profession,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature. “This $15 million commitment will help us build our local workforce, creating more jobs and improving healthcare in Schenectady County and surrounding communities.”
“This training program at SCCC has provided students with great opportunities. It has helped strengthen underserved communities and made a difference for job-seekers in the Capital Region,” said Ann Fleming Brown, Chair of the SCCC Board of Trustees.
The new federal funding announced today will expand on the program’s success by forming the Upstate Partnership for Healthcare Pathways (UPHP). This will add two more colleges to the training program including Fulton-Montgomery Community College and SUNY Adirondack. Both schools will work with SCCC, Albany Community Action Partnership and Schenectady Community Action Program to provide training across a nine-county service area.
The new grant will help fund training for 2,200 students over five years. The training program will provide students with pathways to four industry credentials, eight certifications and eight distinct degrees required for a variety of in-demand positions in the healthcare industry.
“Our healthcare training has been incredibly successful, and returned a superior return on investment in terms of the number of students who went on to be employed in this fast growing career field. These students continue to make a difference in our community,” said Dr. Rota. “I am tremendously pleased that SCCC will expand its workforce development with the awarding of this grant and remain a trailblazer in the field.”
-30-
About Schenectady County Community College: One of the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education, Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) in upstate New York enrolls more than 7,000 students. SCCC offers more than 45 career degree, transfer degree and certificate programs. The College opened its doors for classes in 1969 and continues to provide affordable comprehensive higher education and adult educational opportunities in response to local educational needs. To learn more, visit www.sunysccc.edu.
Media Contact: Jill Montag (518) 326-6400 or (518) 852-8188