Workforce Development Forum

Albany, NY, July 27, 2006. A group of upstate New York education and economic development professionals traveled to Portland, Oregon, last week to look at regional efforts to meet the workforce development challenge of supporting local chip manufacturing plants (semiconductor fabs). The primary host of the forum was Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus. This forum was the first of a series of workshops scheduled to strengthen New York’s workforce continuum from K — 12 schools through community colleges and higher education.  

Northern Oregon is home to one of the most vital technology clusters in the world. Known as the “Silicon Forest”, the Portland region has 20 years of experience in supporting innovation driven industries; the kind of experience that Upstate New York can use.

The trip comes on the heels of the recent announcement by Governor George Pataki, NYS Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and AMD Industries who will be building a multi-billion dollar fab in the Luther Forest Technology Campus in Malta, New York. Initially with the first fab, AMD expects to employ more than 1,200 workers. When one considers the supply chain and expected expansion of semiconductor manufacturing in the Tech Valley region after this initial fab, it is reasonable to expect more than 10,000 jobs will be created over the next 8-10 years.

Coordinated by the International Alliance of Nanotechnology Regions (IANRegions), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining a global network of nanotechnology hubs, the Workforce Development Forum was sponsored by CH2MHill, a global leader in engineering and construction services and National Grid, one of the world’s largest utilities.

“It is an exciting time for upstate New York. National Grid is pleased to continue our support of regional efforts to attract industry to New York. Workforce Development is such an important factor in bringing new companies to the region. It makes sense to investigate and benchmark best practices where we can,” said Marilyn Higgins, Vice President of Economic and Community Development, National Grid.

Workforce Development Forum participants included ten educators from SUNY Administration, SUNY Faculty Senate, BOCES, Ballston Spa School District, Burnt Hills — Ballston Lake School District, economic developers from upstate New York as well as over fifteen professionals from the Portland area. The visit began with a driving tour of Portland’s high-tech hub. The first stop was Orenco Station, a well-planned, mixed-use community development that incorporates homes, townhouses, shops and restaurants. The group toured Intel’s neighboring Ronler Acres fab complex that represents a $12B investment since the early 1990s and employs approximately 8,000 people. Intel’s manufacturing complex, engineering design center and financial investment company employ nearly 30,000 in Northern Oregon.

Other signs of the industry’s positive influence on the region include numerous semiconductor equipment and materials supply companies and the multi-million dollar community sports complex contributed by the industry.

In a recent editorial in The Oregonian, July 10, 2006, titled, “From blight to bunny suits,” the author reflected that Intel’s decision to invest in a major new manufacturing plant coupled with town officials’ concerted revitalization effort, known as Ronler Acres Urban Renewal, created one of the nation’s premiere examples of successful urban renewal.

Portland Community College (PCC) enrolls approximately 92,000 part time and /or full time students. Dr. Preston Pulliams, District President of Portland Community College (PCC) and Dr. Katherine Persson, PCC Rock Creek Campus President gave an overview of PCC’s vision, education initiatives and industry — academia collaborative efforts.

Dr. Margie Fyfield, Division Dean of Sciences and Technology, Portland Community College presented a detailed overview of PCC’s Microelectronics Technology (MT) program housed at the Rock Creek Campus. This two-year program is built on a strong academic curriculum of math, sciences and communication skills. The Industry Advisory Board plays an ongoing active role in the design of the MT program.

Students who successfully complete the MT program are ready to begin work as microelectronic equipment technicians within fabs. Historically, PCC’s industry partners have set a goal of hiring 100 microelectronic equipment technicians each year. PCC graduates of the MT program may also transfer to Oregon Institute of Technology with a junior standing to pursue a BS degree in manufacturing engineering technology therefore continuing opportunities for advancement in the industry. 

Dr. Pulliams shared an example of other industry — academic collaborative programs that support student success. One example is the High School Academy. High school graduates that successfully apply and interview for this work-study program are paid to work for Intel 20 hours per week while managing full time coursework at PCC. In exchange, Intel pays 80% of their tuition. Upon completion of their Associates Degree, 98% of the students work for Intel.

“Education and workforce training play an important part in the success of high tech industries. This is evident in how high tech companies are willing to invest so much in education, training and partner with academic institutions at all levels,” said Kathy Jarvis, Ballston Spa School Board President.

“SUNY’s doctoral granting institutions, comprehensive colleges, colleges of technology and community colleges will play a critical role in providing the well-trained and highly-educated work force companies such as AMD will need going forward,” said SUNY Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Industry Relations Barbara Drago. “Through studying best practices around the country, SUNY can help business in New York leap ahead of competitors. At the same time, a healthy economy means good jobs for our graduates.”                                     

IANRegions CEO LaMar Hill said, “Workforce development is so important and fundamental that we need to be proactive to be prepared for AMD’s start-up hiring process. We must build a large pool of local applicants for them to draw on. The more we do now, the more people they can hire directly from our region creating a win —win situation.”

IANRegions is coordinating follow-up activities and forums to continue regional dialogue and planning for this key workforce development effort. The upcoming workshops, designed to strengthen New York’s workforce development implementation are planned in Saratoga County for October and in the Austin, Texas area this winter.

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International Alliance of Nanotechnology Regions (IANRegions), a not for profit trade and economic development organization launched in April of 2006, is dedicated to creating and sustaining a global network of nanotechnology hubs. IANRegions aims to facilitate global business-to-business connections and benchmark best practices in workforce development, technology transfer and funding strategies to support nanotechnology hubs. IANRegions Network Partners include Tech Valley’s Center for Economic Growth, JEMI UK and JEMI France. For more information and scheduled events visit www.ianregions.org.