Rochester Colleges Expand Mental-Health Training Amid Shortages

Rochester-area colleges, employers and local government are working to prepare residents for changing workforce needs and keep talent in the region. Nazareth University is expanding flexible social-work degree pathways and specialized training to address shortages in mental and behavioral health care, where demand is rising and students are increasingly being hired during internships. Business leaders also argue that AI is reshaping entry-level work, making combined technical, strategic and interpersonal skills more important while emphasizing the need to preserve early-career opportunities that develop future leaders. Monroe County is promoting training through Monroe Community College for high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, optics and photonics, alongside efforts to attract new business investment.