Nassau Community College Workforce Development Delivers Keynote at Long Island Water Conference Legislative Breakfast

Bethpage, NY —Gary Smalls, Senior Director of Workforce Development at Nassau Community College, served as the keynote speaker at the Long Island Water Conference Legislative Breakfast held at the The Heritage Club on Friday, March 27. Smalls highlighted the importance of workforce development in sustaining and advancing Long Island’s water industry. During his remarks, he emphasized the role of NCC’s NCCER Core Program in preparing students with foundational skills needed for careers in infrastructure, construction, and environmental services.

He also discussed strategies for building strong workforce pipelines by fostering collaboration among water providers, the private sector, and educational institutions. Smalls underscored the need for industry-driven training programs that align with the evolving demands of the water sector across Long Island.

The event brought together legislators, industry leaders, and workforce professionals to address critical challenges and opportunities facing the region’s water systems, including talent development and long-term sustainability.

About Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College (NCC), a campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), provides a comprehensive public college experience designed to prepare students to start, and continue, their successful journeys through higher education. Serving more than 17,000 full-time and part-time students annually, NCC offers 70 degree and certificate programs. Through on-campus and online offerings, the College educates local and international students and boasts more than 164,000 alumni. Situated on 225 acres in Garden City, Long Island, NCC is located in historic Nassau County, one of the most desirable locations to live in the United States and an epicenter for business and careers. Since 1959, the College has earned a nationwide reputation for academic excellence, affordability, and ease of transferability to four-year schools. 

Media Contact:  Brett Spielberg | brett.spielberg@ncc.edu | (516) 572.9634