Governor Andrew Cuomo announced earlier this week that IBM and New York state are teaming up to provide science and technology education, otherwise known as STEM, to high schoolers.
Ten schools, one in each of the state’s economic development regions, will be chosen to participate in the new program.
They’ll offer a 6 year course of study focusing on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Participating students will graduate with an associates’ degree – and will be first in line for jobs at IBM.
Stan Litow is vice president for corporate citizenship at IBM. He helped design the program, and says it serves a serious need.
"We have a skills crisis more than a jobs crisis. If we can help more and more young people with the kind of education and skills that they need for 21st century jobs we will be doing something significant for the state, for its businesses and for economic development, and also for our students and parents."
School districts and colleges can apply to participate in the program.
IBM will train regional businesses that wish to partner with schools.
