Groundbreaking held at MCC’s Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe Community College got a special visitor Thursday.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras was there for the groundbreaking of a new Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center or “FWD Center” for short.

Today, @FWDcenterNY is taking an important step forward! We’re kicking off construction on our facility at @MonroeCC‘s Downtown Campus where we will offer fast-track, tech-oriented training for high-demand careers starting in early 2022. #FWDcenter pic.twitter.com/SOhtit7KaA

— Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center (@FWDcenterNY) July 29, 2021

It’ll focus on training people for innovation and technology jobs for local businesses struggling to find skilled workers.

By early 2022, flexible space will be created for labs related to robotics, mechatronics, augmented reality/virtual reality, smart factory and automation, and skilled trades, as well as the Career and Education to Employment Services Center. #FWDcenter pic.twitter.com/zTkJty2Xra

— Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center (@FWDcenterNY) July 29, 2021

Malatras said the center represents the future of how we must close skill gaps and give those in our community a chance at economic opportunity.

"The jobs are there — 20,000 jobs in the Finger Lakes — unfilled," Malatras said. "Employers are saying, ‘We want to fill those jobs desperately, but we can’t meet the workforce because there’s skill gaps.’ Let us close the skills gaps, let us demonstrate the value, let’s get people into those jobs."

Around 2,500 people are expected to be trained there over the next three years.

The project is expected to wrap up in early 2022.