Free and open to the public, new lab will help community build skills in digital literacy, academic and workforce readiness
Mohawk Valley Community College celebrated the opening of its new Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) Lab with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, expanding free access to digital literacy, academic readiness, and workforce-development resources for people throughout the Mohawk Valley.
Located in Room 140 of the Academic Building at MVCC’s Utica Campus, the lab is the first SUNY ATTAIN Lab in Oneida County. MVCC joins more than 30 ATTAIN Labs currently operating across New York State as part of an initiative led by the State University of New York’s University Center for Academic and Workforce Development (SUNY UCAWD).
MVCC’s 24-computer ATTAIN Lab is free and open to the public, providing access to computers, high-speed internet, online training, courseware, and resources designed to help community members develop the skills needed to succeed in today’s technology-driven workforce. Through self-paced courses and industry-recognized certifications, the lab supports individuals looking to change careers, earn professional certifications, advance their education, or improve their digital literacy.
The lab is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with one-on-one assistance available to help users navigate courseware, select programs, and build essential digital skills. Available programs include:
- Self-paced GED exam preparation
- Language learning and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Digital literacy training for individuals building foundational computer and internet skills
- Industry-recognized certifications that can help prepare individuals for careers in high-demand fields
“As the community’s college, MVCC is committed to creating more opportunities for people throughout our region to learn, grow and build brighter futures,” said MVCC President Dr. Randall J. VanWagoner. “The ATTAIN Lab is a wonderful extension of that commitment, providing a welcoming, no-cost space for people to build digital, academic, and career skills, explore new possibilities, and take the next step toward their goals.”
Tamara S. Frazier, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development & Upward Mobility said: “At SUNY, we believe that opportunity should be available to all New Yorkers, as they pursue their educational dreams. The opening of a new ATTAIN Lab at Mohawk Valley Community College reflects that belief by creating a free, inviting space where community members can develop digital skills, pursue educational goals, and prepare for in-demand careers. We thank the SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor John B. King Jr. for their visionary leadership and continued investment in programs that strengthen communities and expand upward mobility. Together with MVCC, we are proud to bring this transformative resource to the Mohawk Valley and help more New Yorkers realize their full potential.”
Lisa Jackson, Associate Provost and Director of SUNY UCAWD, said: “As SUNY ATTAIN celebrates 25 years of access to digital literacy, we are thrilled to expand opportunities to the people of Utica and its surrounding areas. The services and support that ATTAIN labs offer are deeply impactful, but we rely on mission-aligned partners to make the promise of ATTAIN a reality for New Yorkers. On behalf of our SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor John B. King Jr., we are grateful to have such an institution in Mohawk Valley Community College working with us in a new area that perfectly suits what we do and who we serve.”
Following the ribbon-cutting, MVCC ATTAIN Lab Coordinator Michael Zombek led demonstrations highlighting the lab’s resources and how community members can use them to build digital and professional skills.
Also in attendance were Assemblyman Brian Miller, representatives for Senator Joe Griffo and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, Oneida County Board of Labor Chair Mary Pratt, Oneida County Economic Development Committee Chair Keith Schiebel, and Regional Director at Empire State Development Allison Madmoune.
For more information, visit the MVCC ATTAIN Lab webpage.
About SUNY ATTAIN
SUNY ATTAIN (Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking) is a statewide initiative offering free access to technology, digital literacy programs, and workforce certifications. Managed by SUNY’s University Center for Academic and Workforce Development, ATTAIN Labs serve as hubs for education and career readiness in underserved communities. Since its founding in 2001 with financial support from the New York State Legislature, the program has strengthened communities, empowered learners, and connected thousands of residents to educational credentials and vocational pathways to sustainable employment across the state.