Governor Cuomo Announces Second Round Winners of P-TECH Awards

November 12, 2014

From the Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

10 Winners to Help 3,000 Students Earn Degrees and Prepare for High Skill Jobs

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced 10 winners of the second round of awards through the New York State Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) partnerships. These new public-private educational partnerships add an additional 3,000 students to the nearly 6,000 New York high school students from round one who are preparing for high-skill jobs in technology, manufacturing and healthcare-related fields. Students will earn an associate degree at no cost to their families and will be first in line for jobs with participating companies when they graduate.

“By reimagining how our schools educate, train and guide our students, we’re unlocking the door to tremendous opportunities for some of the youngest New Yorkers not just today, but well into the future,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York’s P-TECH program is transforming our education system, putting emphasis on vital skills that will allow our students to thrive in some of the most competitive sectors of the global workforce, while alleviating financial burdens that act as a barrier. As we continue programs like P-Tech, the Empire State’s education system is evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s workforce, serving as a model for how we can better prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

The NYS P-TECH partnerships will provide nearly 10,000 students with a high school diploma, college degree and pathway to a job. With today’s announcement, New York State continues to lead the nation in this rapidly expanding P-TECH initiative that links education to regional economic development. Modeled after the nationally-recognized IBM partnership in New York City, the schools will supply regions with a robust talent pipeline driving local economic development.

The State’s P-TECH partnership initiative was announced as part of the Governor’s 2013-2014 Executive Budget and will receive additional funding and support through the State Education Department. The public-private initiative was launched in partnership with IBM, which helped create the P-TECH program and will provide tools, training and support to each participating school.

Following New York’s lead, Connecticut, in partnership with IBM, opened a P-TECH school this fall. Australia also recently announced plans to pilot a school modeled on P-TECH.

Winning partnerships were selected through a highly competitive process and represent leading industries from across New York State.

The 10 new NYS P-TECH partnerships are:

Central New York

Manufacturing – Businesses: Manufacturers Association of Central New York
- Higher Education: Cayuga Community College
- K-12: Auburn ECSD

Finger Lakes

Advanced Manufacturing – Businesses: Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturers’ Enterprise; Digital Rochester
- Higher Education: Finger Lakes Community College
- K-12: Regional consortium led by Geneva CSD

Hudson Valley

Computer Information Technology and Electrical Technology– Businesses: Verde Electric Corporation and The Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
- Higher Education: Westchester Community College
- K-12: Yonkers CSD

Electrical Engineering Technology; Engineering Science– Business: Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation
- Higher Education: Dutchess Community College
- K-12: Poughkeepsie CSD

Mohawk Valley

Quality Assurance – Businesses: Mohawk Valley Edge; Mohawk Valley Applied Tech. Corporation; King & King Architects
- Higher Education: Herkimer Community College
- K-12: Regional consortium led by Herkimer BOCES with fiscal lead Herkimer CSD

Semiconductor Manufacturing and Financial Services Management– Businesses: Mohawk Valley Edge and Manufacturing Association of Central New York.
- Higher Education: Mohawk Valley Community College
- K-12: Regional consortium led by Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES with fiscal lead Utica CSD

New York City

Construction Management, Civil Engineering Technology and Architectural Technology – Business: Building Trades Employers’ Association of New York City
- Higher Education: CUNY and NYC College of Technology (City Tech)
- K-12: New York City Department of Education

North Country

Health Care –St. Lawrence Health System, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Massena Memorial Hospital, United Helpers, Kinney Drugs and Northern Area Health Education Center.
- Higher Education: North Country Community College and SUNY Canton
- K-12: Regional consortium led by St. Lawrence BOCES with fiscal lead Norwood-Norfolk CSD

Western New York

Construction Technology– Business: Technology, Engineering and Architecture Mentoring through Compliance Administrative Services of New York, Montante Solar, Montante Construction, Construction Exchange of Western NY and the Construction Industry Education Foundation
- Higher Education: Alfred State College
- K-12: Buffalo City School District

Mechanical and Welding Technology– Business: Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, and the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce
- Higher Education: Jamestown Community College
- K-12: Regional Consortium led by Dunkirk CSD

State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said, “When it comes to strengthening our schools, we know we need to engage students’ diverse interests. That’s why Chancellor Tisch and the Board of Regents approved new multiple, rigorous pathways to graduation for our students., including Career and Technical Education (CTE); Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); the Arts; Biliteracy (languages other than English); and the Humanities. It’s also why the Board of Regents has been so supportive of P-Tech. It’s no secret that the U.S. lags behind some of our international competitors when it comes to preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow. But New York can and will educate our way to the top. P-TECH will help make that possible – by providing challenging new opportunities that will give our students the skills and the knowledge they need to excel in college and in the workplace.”

Stanley S. Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs at IBM and President of the IBM Foundation, said, “We applaud the Governor for his leadership. This extraordinary replication of P-TECH across the state's 10 economic development regions sets New York apart as the first state ensuring rigorous academics are directly linked to great careers. With 14 million new ‘middle skills’ jobs to be created in the next decade, P-TECH offers students a clear pathway from school to career, directly advancing the state and nation's economy. Other states need to follow New York’s lead.”

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “P-TECH has emerged as one of the most effective partnerships between the education and business communities to prepare high school students for success not only in school and college, but also as they compete for high-tech jobs in today’s global marketplace. Governor Cuomo’s support for P-TECH has led to the expansion of this exceptional program throughout New York State, and SUNY campuses in every region are proud to be a part of its continued success.”

CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken said, "The City University of New York is pleased to participate in the expansion of early college high schools modeled after the original P-Tech program developed in partnership with IBM and CUNY's New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership and for the opportunity to contribute to educational opportunity and workforce development in New York through this innovative approach."

Heather C. Bricetti, Esq., President and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, said, “The business community recognizes that New York’s growing STEM economy will be stifled if we do not find innovative new ways to help schools better prepare graduates to fill good paying middle-skill jobs. This is among the reasons why The Business Council strongly supports the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) model. Creating more P-TECH high schools will produce thousands of new graduates to fill these jobs."

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