ALBANY, N.Y. — CenterState CEO will oversee the flagship facility of a network of four new workforce-development centers in “strategic, high-impact” locations in upstate New York.
The centers will be part of the One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships, or ON-RAMP, that will work at “preparing New Yorkers for the jobs of tomorrow.”
It was among the components of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plans seeking to “grow and strengthen” New York’s economy as outlined in her State of the State message on Tuesday in Albany, per the announcement from Hochul’s office.
As the state continues to attract 21st century businesses in fast-growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing, ON-RAMP centers will offer credentials and training related to advanced manufacturing and focus on providing opportunities for disadvantaged populations, Hochul’s office said.
The program will focus on upstate New York, particularly the Capital Region and the Interstate 90 corridor encompassing Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, which was recently designated a federal Tech Hub.
In reaction, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh issued a statement Tuesday afternoon that read in part, “Having an advanced manufacturing and construction workforce development hub in Syracuse is a concentrated effort to ensure underrepresented populations are engaged in the rapidly growing career opportunities in our region. It is more evidence of Syracuse’s rise in the New Economy.”
In a separate statement, Robert Simpson, president and CEO of CenterState CEO, said the organization and those associated with it “applaud” the governor’s plan for the ON-RAMP initiative.
“CenterState CEO is excited for the opportunity to lead the planning and design of the ON-RAMP hub in Syracuse,” Simpson said. “We are acutely aware that the time to invest in our advanced manufacturing workforce is now.”
The governor’s plan “builds on her vision for a modern, 21st century economy fueled by innovative, next-generation businesses and high-skilled workers ready to meet their needs,” Hochul’s office said.
The plan includes investments to create business districts statewide, a “multi-pronged” proposal to open pathways to business ownership for immigrant entrepreneurs, and a $100 million expansion of the state’s FAST NY business-attraction program.
Hochul also announced expansions of the Teacher Ambassador and Registered Apprenticeship programs, new statewide offices to monitor workforce-development outcomes and help small businesses navigate environmental regulations, and a package of initiatives to rebuild the state’s public workforce.