As Central New York embraces its role as an advanced manufacturing hub, efforts are underway to build a skilled workforce capable of sustaining industrial investments. Local and state governments, educational institutions, unions, and tech firms are collaborating on these endeavors.
Micron, a key player in the region, requires 9,000 new employees over the next two decades. The company’s decision to expand in the Syracuse area was influenced by the region’s “access to talent.”
Initiatives like the Future-Ready Workforce Innovation Consortium, Syracuse University’s Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Empire State Development’s ON-RAMP are contributing to the preparation of the necessary workforce. Also notable is Syracuse City School District’s new STEAM high school.
Heather Lavender, a faculty member who joined Syracuse University’s School of Education in August 2024, is focused on inclusive STEM education. She transitioned from microbiology to education to enhance how STEM subjects are taught, especially to marginalized groups.
Lavender shares her motivations, “I began to think, I could mentor better, and not just to women. I could offer equity of mentorship.” She advocates for mentoring young students and addressing systemic barriers early in education.
In her teachings, Lavender emphasizes the importance of equitable STEM education among future teachers. She urges them to consider how seemingly small classroom dynamics can impact a child’s career interests, saying, “When you say nothing, you say something.”
Lavender also challenges claims that equity in STEM fields has been achieved. Using public service announcements during significant events as an example, she argues that the urgency for more diverse participation in STEM persists.
She identifies insufficient resources as the primary barrier for marginalized children in STEM. Her research calls attention to the lack of access faced by these students, particularly in lower socio-economic groups.
Lavender’s advice to companies focusing on building a high-tech workforce in Central New York is to look beyond high school students. She recommends targeting younger students and investing in community resources to nurture a tech-savvy generation from an early age. “They need to find a team of collaborators to help them grow the workforce,” she states.
The call for collaboration among local nonprofits, educators, and businesses highlights the collective effort required to elevate Central New York’s workforce potential.
