FMCC helps local workers capitalize on the craft beer boom in New York State
The economic impact of craft breweries creates a buzz in New York State.
The first commercial brewery in the United States was established in the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan Island. Today, nearly 7,500 craft, micro- and macrobreweries in the U.S. with more than 440 licensed breweries in New York State alone, making it one of the brewingest states in the country.
In addition to the two million barrels of beer produced by New York’s craft brewers, the craft beer industry contributes more than $5 billion to the state’s economy when supply purchase, banking, craft brewery tourism, and other economic spin-off spending is included. New York State breweries also create jobs – more than 20,000 jobs for local workers.
Today, Fulton County has five breweries and the potential for more. But does the County have enough skilled labor to satisfy the demand of craft beer-loving locals and tourists?
Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC) addresses the microbrew skills gap
Director of External Partnerships and Applied Learning Daniel Fogarty and his team at FMCC’s Business and Community Partnerships Center are continually seeking opportunities to expand opportunities for local students, workers, and employers. When two local breweries reached out to Fogarty to see if the College would be willing to offer training for people interested in learning the microbrew ropes, a whole new course of study was developed.
Now, Mohawk Valley Brewing has partnered with FMCC to offer non-credit courses for locals interested in making their own craft beer with brew kits. For people interested in a certificate and potential employment at one of New York State’s breweries, Stump City Brewing and Great Sacandaga Brewing have partnered with the College in their Craft Brewery Mangement Individual Studies to train future managers to oversee brewery operations.
“This kind of partnership makes sense,” Fogarty said in a recent interview, “because master brewers can train students on site where they learn exactly what that business entails, and we can train them in our great business department to manage that type of business.”
Fulton County: business is brewing!
Fogarty and his team at FMCC are always looking for opportunities to partner with local businesses like microbreweries to train local talent. Interested businesses can schedule an onsite or virtual meeting to provide information about training requirements and workforce needs. If it seems like a good fit, FMCC has the capacity to develop non-credit courses, internships, and other custom programs to meet those requirements and fill vacant positions with skilled employees. FMCC’s Business and Community Partnerships Center and booming brewery scene are just two reasons that business is brewing in Fulton County. Contact Daniel Fogarty today at (518) 736-3622 Ext. 8302 or email at daniel.fogarty@fmcc.suny.edu to learn more.