New Dutchess County Progam Should Create a 'Pipeline to Jobs'

Officials in Dutchess County expect a new program will "create pipelines" to lucrative jobs.

On Monday, Dutchess Community College, in partnership with Dutchess County Government, celebrated the groundbreaking of a new experiential lab and classroom hangar at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in the Town of Wappinger for the college’s expanding aviation program.

The new program is part of the county's plan to create pipelines to jobs and attract aircraft maintenance facilities to build on the 12 acres available for development at the airport, officials say.

Pending approvals, by the January 2021, the facility will house a 12-month Airframe and Powerplant Maintenance certification program, which is expected to draw new students from throughout the northeast. The college’s current pilot and aviation management associate degree programs will also be located in the building.

“This initiative reflects an extraordinary collaboration between the college and the county and the alignment of our shared strategic goals,” DCC President Dr. Pamela Edington said. “This state-of-the-art educational facility will allow for the college to expand on its successful aviation offerings, while enhancing operations at our county airport.”

Boeing's 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook reports that 679,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to maintain the world’s airlines over the next 20 years, officials say.

“This collaboration with Dutchess Community College will reap tremendous benefit, adding new job opportunities and attracting investment to Hudson Valley Regional Airport, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said. "This hangar is the next step in Dutchess County’s efforts to maximize our airport’s potential. It will be an innovative facility providing space for students to train for well-paying jobs in this dynamic field, both locally and beyond, accelerating the growth of a skilled workforce and boosting our local economy.”

New Dutchess County Progam Should Create a ‘Pipeline to Jobs’