Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Newburgh Free Academy to push for more federal funds for tech education.
New York's junior senator says she wants to pass a bill that would put money toward 3D printers, laser cutters, and other tools the next generation will see in the workforce. These are some of the items that Newburgh Free Academy has, and teaches students who have an interest in manufacturing. The school also offers hands-on programs like the Concept Vehicle Racing Team.
The senator says the opportunities are there for New Yorkers, but students just need the education and experience this bill could provide.
"There are companies in our state that already have good paying jobs that are open and ready, with good salaries for graduates of programs just like this one," Gillibrand said. "But they can't actually fill all those jobs, because too many of our graduates don't have the skills they need to fill them."
Gillibrand added that more than 377,000 students across the state who are enrolled in career and technical education high school and post-secondary programs that could benefit from the legislation.