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Community Colleges across the nation and the region are scrambling to meet the workforce development needs of many industries, including manufacturing, in the post pandemic world. The Hudson Valley region is fortunate to have some of the state’s best and most responsive community Colleges with Dutchess leading the way. Though somewhat new to the role of President of DCC, Dr. Jordan has a long history of academic leadership and is bringing that wealth of experience to Poughkeepsie.
In this episode Harold King and Johnnieanne Hansen speak with Frank Falatyn, president of Fala Technologies in Kingston, about Fala Technologies and its evolution from a small tool and die shop to a high value added machine design and production engineering company. Fala provides contract manufacturing and supply chain manufacturing / engineering services to build custom equipment and advanced electro/mechanical products for the semiconductor, transportation, military, advanced energy and industrial products sectors.
Frank has long recognized that FALA’s success is dependent on developing a skilled workforce to meet the complex challenges their customers bring them. He developed their “Next-Generation Manufacturing Workforce Initiative (Next-Gen).” FALA offers NYS Certified Apprenticeship training for CNC Machinists, Toolmakers, Electro-Mechanical Technicians, Welders, Quality Assurance Auditors, Industrial Manufacturing Technicians and Maintenance Mechanics. FALA also offers Pre-Apprenticeships and Internships programs that include classroom and on-the-job training.
Johnnieanne and Harold talk to Frank about how he gained his passion for workforce development, the public/private partnerships he has created and nurtured as well as the local state and national programs he has developed and is developing.