By Naeisha Rose
Jamaica is continuing to makes strides toward becoming a major hub.
Helping to spur the economy in the region is START-UP NY, a program created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo meant to help new and expanding businesses connect with colleges throughout the state and create jobs.
One of the local colleges to recently benefit from the program is York College, which announced its partnership with START-UP NY Oct. 2. The college will be working with the global company Pro Drones USA, which is also known as Microdrones.
The partnership between Microdrones and York College, which is located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., will help the firm to expand its global operation as a drone company in Jamaica and buoy the school’s students in its computer and technology programs with internships and potential permanent full-time job placements, according to Oslene Carrington, an executive director of Economic and Workforce Development at the college.
“Jamaica will be [another] tech hub in Queens,” said Carrington. “START-UP NY is enabling the environment for tech companies to grow in Jamaica. We aim to become [another] Long Island City or downtown Brooklyn in terms of attracting tech firms and additional tech talent.”
York offers a Computer Science degree and Tech Academy professional certification programs with courses in data analytics, project management, web development, and cyber security, according to Carrington.
“York College is definitely training the southeast Queens workforce for the growing and well-paying jobs in New York’s tech industry,” she added.
Microdrones was founded in 2005 and developed one of the world’s first commercial quadcopters. The company is a leader in the industry of unmanned aerial vehicles, according to its website.
The company pairs drones with cutting-edge sensors for surveying, construction, precision agriculture, mining and commercial applications in a way that is easy to use for those who are new to the technology, according to Microdrones website.
The drones have long flight-times, they are resistance to environmental factors, and use georeferncing, according to the global firm, which is excited to work with the school.
“We see our relationship with York College and CUNY as very important to cultivating our workforce of tomorrow,” said Mircrodrones President Vivien Heriard-Dubreuil. “With strong programs in related disciplines, we are excited to be a part of this community, and hope that students will visit our website to learn more about us.”
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
