The Office of Community Services at Columbia-Greene Community College helps organizations achieve peak effectiveness by providing people with the practical tools and insights that enable them to be more productive. The office works closely with local businesses to assess employer needs and design customized technical or professional development programs to meet those needs.
Training is available in the following areas:
• Management and organizational development
• Industrial training
• Plastic technology (entry level through advanced training in topics important to the industry)
• Computer training
• Professional certification programs
• English as a second language
Most programs can be taught at the college's main campus in the Town of Greenport or at the work site. Funding is available from Empire State Development, the SUNY Workforce Institute and other agencies established to help businesses meet their specific training needs. For more information on business and industry training in Columbia County, contact Robert Bodratti, Director of Non-Credit Programs, at 518-828-4181.
Columbia-Greene Workforce Investment System Columbia-Greene Community College is also the location of the Columbia Greene One-Stop Career Center, established under the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as part of the Columbia-Greene Workforce Investment System. The One-Stop Career Center serves both job seekers and employers. Core services provided through the One-Stop system include labor market information, job listings, employer information, résumé software, workshops, computer and Internet access, initial assessment and eligibility for services under WIA, and information on service providers and agencies. Education and employment training services are available to customers who meet certain requirements. The Columbia-Greene One-Stop Career Center is aware of the importance of the business community as customers in the workforce investment system. The local area uses appropriate funding to provide incumbent worker training through Columbia-Greene Community College, Questar III BOCES and other contracted providers. For more information on the Columbia-Greene Workforce Investment System and One-Stop Career Center, contact Mary Alane Wiltse, Associate Director for Employability Development, at 518-828-4181 x5510, or via e-mail at wiltse@vaxa.sunycgcc.edu.
Columbia County has nearly fifty country farm markets and orchards, many of them specializing in organic produce.
The Old Chatham Sheepherding Company is the largest sheep dairy farm in the United States.
Census/Demographics
The estimated population of the County is 63,668.
Hudson, once a busy port city frequented by whalers, is the Seat of Columbia County.
Arts & Culture
PS/21 - Performing Spaces for the 21st Century, is a new venue under the direction of Gwen Gould, offering classical sings under an open-air tent in Chatham. www.ps21chatham.org.
What's New
Migrant Farm Workers Get New Housing Through Innovative Program
Migrant workers on several farms in Columbia County are receiving new living quarters thanks to a unique program created by the Columbia Hudson Partnership.
