New York state and Micron plan on spending $4 million to help train high school and middle school students for high-tech jobs and careers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday morning during a visit to a Syracuse school.
The money will help 10 school districts, including six in Onondaga County, develop their own curriculum in semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing, Hochul said at the Institute of Technology.
The curriculum will be used at the ten schools over three years beginning in fall 2024. It will then be expanded to schools throughout the state.
The goal is to ensure that young New Yorkers are prepared to fill future jobs in the technology manufacturing industry, many of which will emerge once Micron builds in Onondaga County, Hochul said.
The districts are Baldwinsville, Chittenango, East Syracuse Minoa, Liverpool, New York City, Niagara Falls, North Syracuse, Syracuse, OCM BOCES and Watertown.
The framework for the curriculum was created with help from the American Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers, and the United Federation of Teachers.
New York state and Micron will split the $4 million investment for the three-year pilot phase in the schools.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul breaks ground at the Syracuse STEAM school, which will be Central New York's first regional high school, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. Pictured from left to right are Syracuse commissioners Dan Romeo, Tamica Barnett, Karen Cordano, Gov. Hochul, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, Micron Senior Vice President April Arnzen and Syracuse Councilor Jimmy Monto (Melissa Newcomb|mnewcomb@syracuse.com).Melissa Newcomb
Hochul made the announcement at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Syracuse STEAM school, which is set to open in 2025 after renovating the former Central High School building on South Warren Street.
The STEAM school (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) will be Central New York’s first regional high school. Enrollment will be open to both Syracuse city students and students from suburban areas.
The state has committed over $71 million to the new school.
Micron had committed $10 million and Amazon had committed $1.75 million.
Micron agreed last year to build up to four massive chip manufacturing plants in Clay over the next 20 years that would employ up to 9,000 people and create up to 40,000 supply-chain and construction jobs.
More on Syracuse's STEAM school
- Construction finally set to start for Syracuse STEAM High School; here are details
- Syracuse’s STEAM school’s admission process will be competitive but fair, officials say
- New Syracuse STEAM school would put city, suburban students on a stage where Pavarotti once sang
- Walsh: Cuomo support for Syracuse STEAM high school a big ‘win’ for city
- Cuomo to OK $75M Syracuse STEAM high school, training center (exclusive)
Watchdog/Public Affairs reporter Melissa Newcomb covers education, including Syracuse University and the city schools. For tips, contact her anytime at mnewcomb@syracuse.com, 315-679-1068, or @melissarnewcomb on Twitter.