SUNY ATTAIN – Helping Thousands of New Yorkers Pursue Their Dreams

Last Monday, my fellow interns and I spent the afternoon at the Legislative Office Building, for SUNY Day.  SUNY Day is a day when all of the SUNY campuses come together to showcase the achievements and accomplishments of their students, faculty, and staff to the public, legislators, and each other.  While we were there, we learned a great deal about many different SUNY programs and initiatives.   For the next few weeks, we will be sharing what we learned at SUNY Day through our blog posts. Today, I will be introducing you to the impressive, but lesser-known SUNY program, ATTAIN.

In response to the lack of broadband access in New York State’s impoverished urban and rural communities, the New York State Legislature funded The State University of New York University Center for Academic and Workforce Development (UCAWD) to create Advanced Technology Training And Information Networking, more commonly known as ATTAIN.

ATTAIN is a statewide network of more than 32 technology labs that offers comprehensive information technology training, resources, and Microsoft certification.  ATTAIN also offers more than 30 occupational, academic, life skills and self-development courses for residents of economically challenged communities and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients.  These programs provide opportunities for participants to gain knowledge of the world through the use of the internet, enhance employability, and encourage life-long learning to community residents.

Through their training programs, ATTAIN has helped thousands of participants across New York State gain the academic and professional skills they need to pursue life-long dreams. They have helped participants receive their GEDs and gain professional certification in many different professions including child care, nursing, carpentry, plumbing and many more.

For more information on ATTAIN and to read some of their inspiring success stories, please visit http://www.attain.suny.edu.