Micron, New York to spend $4 million training teens for high tech careers

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.

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.