Larry Rulison writes in today’s business section of the Times Union - “If the Capital Region is going to become a major center for advanced manufacturing and renewable energy technologies, the workforce has to be trained even before college.

That’s the approach educators at Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center here in Hudson are taking with their students.

The school, part of the state’s BOCES system, provides hands-on training for some of the most sought out careers in the country even before the students graduate high school.

And these aren’t run-of-the-mill vocational courses, but high-level training in solar electricity, wind power, batteries, semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing and robotics. While some students go straight into industry, others move on to schools like Hudson Valley Community College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy.”

To read more click here.

David Canfield reports in the Glens Falls Post Star - “GlobalFoundries will hold a job fair Thursday for area residents interested in seeking a position at the company’s Malta computer-chip factory.

About 1,000 people currently work at the chip-fab in the Luther Forest Technology Park, which is expected to reach full production in a year. The company intends to hire about 400 more employees by then.

Many of the available positions call for an experienced technician, but some require no prior experience.”

To read more click here.

John Zick writes in the Corning Leader - “With demand for Corning Inc.’s heavy-duty diesel products expected to triple over the next five years, an undisclosed number of “industry-leading” manufacturers have reached long-term agreements with Corning to ensure a reliable supply chain, the company said Tuesday.

Corning declined to disclose the terms of the agreements, including the number of companies involved, but said the pacts involve “core customers” and will ensure those manufacturers have access to Corning products in the coming years.

“This is an important step toward strategically managing capacity constraints and supporting key customers during a critical growth period,” said Mark A. Beck, senior vice president and general manager of Corning’s Environmental Technologies.”

To read more click here.

The Associated Press reports on LoHud,com - “Google Inc. has bought an additional 188 U.S. patents and 29 patent applications from IBM Corp., IBM confirmed Wednesday.

Google has been buying patents from IBM and others over the past year to bolster its defenses against lawsuits over its Android smartphone software. It’s used by a variety of manufacturers in phones that compete with Apple Inc.’s iPhone.”

To read more click here.

Ken Pokalsky, the current senior director of government affairs at The Business Council of New York State, Inc. has been named vice president of government affairs. His new position took effect on Jan. 1, 2012.

Pokalsky has been with The Business Council since 1982.

“Ken has been instrumental in pushing our organization’s agenda, which is centered on job creation and economic development,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council. “Ken’s wealth of experience will help us drive our pro-jobs agenda in 2012.”

As vice president of government affairs, he will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s overall advocacy efforts and managing the lobbying staff. Pokalsky received his bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Brockport, and his master’s degree in public administration from the SUNY Albany Graduate School of Public Affairs. He resides in Saratoga Springs with his wife and two daughters.

The Wall Street Journal (1/3, Subscription-based Publication) US Datebook reports that National Association of Manufacturers will hold its Manufacturing Summit in Washington, DC on June 6th and 7th.

Rheana Murray of the New York Daily News writes:

“Mind-reading technology will be more than just a super power featured in science fiction tales if IBM’s latest prediction comes true.

The computer giant released its “5 in 5” list for 2011, an annual report of the biggest tech advances it plans for the next five years — and one of those is to make a computer that can read someone’s mind.

“From Houdini to Skywalker to X-Men, mind-reading has merely been wishful thinking for science fiction fans for decades, but their wish may soon come true,” an IBM spokesperson said in a video that accompanied the report.”

To read more click here.

According to a release from the Governor’s office:

“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that additional businesses have signed on to the Governor’s holiday giving drive. Verizon, Delta Air Lines, Time Warner Cable, and The Garden of Dreams Foundation have each pledged to contribute to the giving drive that will benefit families in communities hit hard by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

“New Yorkers have always been the first to reach out a helping hand and I thank Verizon, Delta Air Lines, Time Warner Cable, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation for their generosity,” Governor Cuomo said. “This giving drive is designed to bring holiday cheer and much needed supplies to families and individuals in communities hit hard by the late-summer storms.”

The giving drive is part of the Governor’s “NYGives” campaign, a statewide effort to encourage charitable giving and generosity throughout the holiday season. “NYGives” connects businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and those seeking to give with organizations that directly serve New Yorkers most in need. The campaign will continue through the end of 2011.”

To read more click here.

Adam Sichko of the Capital District Business Review writes:

“The new president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State Inc. The Business Council of New York State Inc. doesn’t have an overhaul for the business lobby in the works.

Instead, Heather Briccetti said she wants to sustain a newer activist approach that seems to be gaining the lobby, and other business groups, some traction at the Capitol.

‘You have to stand up. Things are headed in the right direction, so let’s keep that momentum,’ Briccetti said. ‘Let’s not let this be a blip of one good year.’ ”

To read more click here.

In an article that appeared in the Watertown Daily Times, Matthew Bultman writes:

“Some researchers at Clarkson University are working to bring science fiction to life in their new high-tech research laboratory.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo got a sneak peek at the university’s 21st century facility Monday, touring a series of labs that will serve as the campus’s health and security research headquarters.

From smarter prosthetic limbs to advances in cybersecurity, students and faculty will use the $4 million facility to tackle cutting-edge problems.”

To read more click here.