As part of its move to the SUNY Plattsburgh campus this month, Clinton Community College is going to re-commit to overseeing the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing that’s located on its former campus and the college has chosen a very familiar name to lead the IAM, outgoing State Assemblyman Billy Jones.
Jones, who has held the 115th District seat since 2017, announced just a couple of weeks ago that he will give up his seat within the next few weeks. Jones says he plans to reach out to businesses to discuss workforce training needs and employment opportunities.
Along with offering computer technology like 3D printing, and electronics, the IAM has helped to train dozens of welders that businesses like rail car manufacturer Alstom have desperately needed. The IAM has teamed with the Chamber of Commerce in the past couple of years to train dozens of welders.
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said he is now looking forward to working with Jones on developing strategic planning for the IAM.
We sit down with Assemblyman Jones to talk about his new job at Clinton Community College leading the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and his giving up his seat in the New York State Assembly after nearly a decade.