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LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

RCC Offers New Maritime Studies

Coast Guard-certified courses for those seeking Merchant Marine careers

You can now launch a Merchant Marine career through Rockland Community College . Working with a US Coast Guard-approved training provider , RCC is offering a new program featuring a blend of online training with handson classroom instruction at the College ’ s campuses . The U . S . Maritime Administration says the nation faces a critical need for new merchant mariners over the next five years . Maritime careers

include ship officers , engineers , technicians , food service workers and maintenance crew . Maritime Studies is a partnership between RCC Continuing Education and Learn America , USCG-approved training provider . Most of the coursework is completed online , with one to three days of in-person training . Mariners seeking work on board any ship are required to complete a Coast Guard-certified Basic Training course . Through the RCC / Learn America program ,
the majority of this course is conducted online , with three consecutive days of training at campus sites to complete the certification . Students will also be able to sign up for any of the individual elements of the Basic Training course . The RCC / Learn America program also includes an Advanced Firefighting course , and a comprehensive course for those who wish to become a Designated Duty Engineer . These courses
are also a combination of online study and classroom training and can help those already working in the field to progress up the professional ladder . Most in-person classes for Maritime Studies will take place at RCC ’ s Suffern and Haverstraw campuses . Firefighting classes will be held at the Rockland Fire Training Center in Pomona .
To learn more , visit www . sunyrockland . edu / go / maritime , or call Continuing Education at 845-574-4151 .

College Expands Presence into Nyack with Opening of Start-Up NY-Affiliated York Analytical Laboratories , Inc .

NY Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul , officials from York Labs , Nyack and RCC , celebrated the Grand Opening on May 10 of the corporate offices of York Analytical Laboratories as a Start-Up NY site in Nyack . Start-Up NY , introduced in 2013 , offers new and expanding businesses that create new jobs in New York State the chance to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near eligible university or college campuses in the state . York Labs , which provides analysis of environmental samples including water , soil and air for regulated contaminants , relocated its corporate offices from Connecticut to Nyack , receiving Start-Up NY designation in December 2015 . “ The premise behind Start-Up NY is that the company partners with an academic institution . This is a whole different way of approaching economic development , utilizing the capital , skills and talent at our universities and community colleges ,” said Hochul , who thanked RCC for being the vehicle that brought the company to the region . York Labs is an owner-operated business of longtime Rockland county

Cutting the ribbon at the Grand Opening of York Labs in Nyack , ( l to r ): Nyack Mayor Jen Laird-White , York owner Michael Beckerich , County Executive Ed Day , Lt . Gov . Kathy Hochul , and RCC President Cliff L . Wood . resident Michael Beckerich , and has operated from Connecticut for more than 20 years . It operates laboratories in Stratford , CT , and Richmond Hill , NY , as well as a service center in Prospect Park , NJ . York Labs relocated six jobs from Connecticut and invested $ 130,000 in the Nyack facility . York Labs has been involved with many landmark projects in the region , including the new Tappan Zee Bridge construction . RCC ’ s partnership with York Labs offers unique opportunities to students and alumni , particularly in the growing fields of engineering , environmental studies and green technology . “ Start-Up NY has provided York Labs with an opportunity to continue growing the business in the metropolitan New York City area . The relationship with Rockland Community College accelerates new job creation and invigorates our existing staff with academic engagement ,” said York Labs founder Michael Beckerich . “ York Analytical Laboratories has a significant commitment to business in the region , and the new building in Nyack is a cornerstone to this long-term presence .”
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