transforming the tech valley workforce region a blueprint from traditional manufacturing to globally...

Transforming the Tech Valley Workforce Region

A Blueprint

From Traditional Manufacturing to

Globally Competitive Advanced Manufacturing and Technology

State Workforce Investment Board

April 5, 2007

Robert Hummel, Executive Director

Saratoga Washington Warren Workforce Investment Board

The Vision…

To transform the region into a globally competitive technology/nanotechnology research and advanced manufacturing economy characterized by an innovative entrepreneurial spirit, a highly skilled workforce, and a commitment to the collaborative development of workforce, educational and economic development systems that maximize resource utilization and human capital skill development.

Tech Valley Workforce Region

Key Partners Include:

6 Workforce Investment Boards

18 Counties

Economic Development Organizations

The Education Community

Private Industry

Goal #1

Create an entrepreneurial economy targeted to globally competitive technology and nanotechnology initiatives.

Transformational strategies include….

Goal #1 – Transformational Strategies

Conduct analysis of potential new startups in supply chain sector;Coordinate regional economic development site identification for startups linked to chip fabrication, biotechnology, energy, nanotech, and aerospace;Create regional resource center for technology related startups ;Identify additional new enterprise funding sources; Identify technology transfer opportunities at existing labs/research facilities;Conduct needs assessment of small businesses to determine technology training needs;

Goal #2

Innovate regionally accessible educational and training programs that expand and promote Science, Technical, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs for a globally competitive workforce



Facilitate formal articulation agreements between BOCES, public and private schools and colleges to develop career ladders for the emerging workforce;Develop nanotech/chip fabrication and aerospace internships;Develop a regional training catalog that links offerings at partner colleges to openings needed at local advanced manufacturing and nanotech;Develop core competencies required by nanotech and aerospace employers as well as supply chain employers;Coordinate the development of a regional technology community college program;Develop contextual learning curricula to reduce barriers to employment in technology industries.

Goal #3Develop regional systems for collaboration in talent development and communication among partners that maximize technology and promote accessibility, integration, innovation, and efficiency in resource allocation and promote education and training programs for a globally competitive workforce.



Assess the current state of equipment available at partner training providers;Survey existing colleges and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to determine the feasibility of “virtual” training programs;Implement technology assessments for use by One-Stop Career Centers region-wide to measure essential job skills necessary for high-growth sectors targeted by this project;Establish a regional skills standards center to coordinate training projects and programs and align emerging courses with the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST).

Goal #4

Promote regional small business entrepreneurial startups and innovations that support and expand core technology and nanotechnology manufacturing and research industries.



Promote Centers for Enterprise Advancement at area secondary and postsecondary educational institutions;Facilitate a Regional Financing Consortium focused on micro-enterprises/firms and businesses.

Organizational Chart

Tech Valley Consortium Board of Directors

National Advisory Panel

Regional WIB Executive Committee Executive Committee

Regional WIB Education/Training Executive Committee

Regional Economic Development Committee

Industry Executive Council

Local Implementation Team






The Tech Valley Workforce Consortium proposes to establish a globally competitive technology and advanced manufacturing economy by:

Building upon Strong Existing Partnerships Focusing on Transforming Systems Expanding Local Best Practices to Regional Strategies Focusing on Technology Transformation that is Skill and

Demand Driven