Dutchess County, NY Celebrates Manufacturing Day

15 Nov, 2019

Celebrating Manufacturing Day in October, Think Dutchess Alliance for Business recognized the county’s history in manufacturing and innovative thinking. The county is leading the way in training manufacturing talent to ensure industry growth.

More than 7,000 workers are currently in the manufacturing sector in Dutchess, of which 68% are employed in the computer and electronics manufacturing industry, according to NAICS Association. With support from local colleges and apprenticeship programs to help young people find career pathways, Think Dutchess Alliance for Business works with the Council of Industry (COI) to promote advanced manufacturing across the region.

More than 71% of manufacturers cite inability to attract skilled workers as their top challenge, according to HV Mfg Magazine. Due to rising tuition costs, there is also growth in students challenging the structure of traditional education for emerging technical careers, looking specifically for programs that are guaranteed to prepare them for the current labor market. With 135 member firms in the Hudson Valley, Council of Industry works to connect these students with manufacturing employers, helping young people see advanced manufacturing as the future of innovation in America.

A privately funded, not-for-profit, member-based organization made up of manufacturing businesses, Council of Industry’s mission is to promote the success of its member firms and their employees by fostering manufacturing talent and providing education, awareness and support for the industry.

“As a premier business-led organization, Think Dutchess Alliance for Business is proud to collaborate with the Council of Industry to continue to build the advanced manufacturing workforce in Dutchess County and attract new manufacturing business to the area,” said Sarah Lee, CEO of Think Dutchess Alliance for Business. “With continued growth from established companies to new startups on the rise, Dutchess County is a growing hub for innovation.”

Programs offered by the Council of Industry such as Go Make It, a manufacturing careers platform, give young people a representation of what a manufacturing career might look like with cutting edge technology and advanced skills as opposed to the outdated notion of laborious production line work. COI also connects members directly with skilled workers as the #1 resource for manufacturing jobs in the area, making it a priority to keep job growth and talent thriving in Dutchess County, NY.

In addition to these programs, the New York State Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP) was created as an employer-led, public-private pilot program for registered apprentices in manufacturing occupations. A 16-month to four-year program, MIAP works with six registered trades: Machinists (CNC); Electro-Mechanical Technicians; Maintenance Mechanics (Automatic Equipment); Quality Assurance Auditors; Toolmakers and Industrial Manufacturing Technicians.

In 2018, there were 370 graduates from Dutchess County Community College’s Engineering, Architecture and Computer Technologies programs. With a new southern campus expected to open in fall 2020 this number is expected to rise in the coming years.

For more information on the Council of Industry visit councilofindustry.org/.

About Think Dutchess Alliance for Business

Think Dutchess Alliance for Business is the one-stop shop for business development needs and activities in Dutchess County, New York. It’s a business-led, nationally recognized nonprofit organization and economic development corporation, whose mission is to attract, retain, and expand for-profit and not-for-profit businesses for the benefit of Dutchess County. Think Dutchess’ organizational structure includes programs in business retention and expansion, financial counseling and deal structuring, zoning, commercial real estate, innovation and technology, strategic marketing and municipal advocacy. For more information about Think Dutchess Alliance for Business, visit thinkduchess.com.

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