Hundreds attend fair at SUNY New Paltz

NEW PALTZ - It is a sign of the times: A job fair and long lines.

Hundreds waited in line Friday, many in suits, with resumes in hand, during a renewable energy job fair at SUNY New Paltz.

The job fair was sponsored by The Solar Energy Consortium and brought together more than a dozen companies, including Earthkind Energy, Mercury Solar Systems, Solar Thin Films and FALA Technologies.

Representatives from these companies and workforce development personnel from Ulster, Dutchess and Sullivan counties spoke to job seekers hoping to brighten their futures through green technologies.

Rick Regan lives in the Kingston area works for a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning company that installs geo-thermal and solar systems. He said this country has to soon catch up to Europe if it wants to create jobs.

“I think we’re lagging behind. Europe is leaps and bounds ahead of us. We either embrace it now or relegate ourselves to the tar pit,” he said. “I think we can (catch up). It’s going to take determination and hope we have the right (presidential) administration to move forward.”

Regan’s visit to job fair was part personal and part curiosity to see what companies are trying to do in the region.

“Who’s doing what,” said Regan, “and who’s embracing the new technologies as they unfold.”

Peter Lenahan, of New Windsor, is an unemployed electrician who worked in the residential and commercial sectors. He is in solar, and was looking for a job.

“I think it’s the future, and I think there will be a lot of jobs out there. I think it’s going to be an interesting field for everybody, and I do have some training in photo-voltaic.”

“I’m very excited about the Solar Energy Consortium and the ability to locate, grow and sustain green jobs,” said Michael DiTullo, managing director of business development for the Solar Energy Consortium.

DiTullo said the region has the personnel here, experienced in manufacturing and design, to help ensure there’s success with emerging, renewable technology.

“Year after year, the Hudson River Valley has lost about 10,000 jobs,” he said.

And with so much experience, DiTullo said the region can become a hub for the Northeast for the sale and manufacture of renewable energy systems.

“If a company is looking in the Northeast for solar or some type of renewable energy, it can come to the Hudson Valley and the point of sale,” he said. “It’s happening right now. We saw it in Europe about five years ago, countries like German and Spain. At the end of the day, we want to create real jobs close to home.”