MACNY Announces $6 Million Federal Investment to Expand Registered Apprenticeship and Boost America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce

MACNY Announces $6 Million Federal Investment to Expand Registered Apprenticeship and Boost America’s Advanced Manufacturing Workforce

In a historic federal investment, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, has been awarded a $6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Labor to expand Registered Apprenticeships for advanced manufacturing, including the semiconductor industry, to train and upskill workers for highly in-demand, good-paying jobs. The announcement came from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, following his advocacy for the program and in tandem with his extensive record of championing workforce development efforts for Central NY and the Mohawk Valley.

The program, New York Registered Apprenticeship Manufacturing Partnerships (NY-RAMP), is expected to help 800+ New Yorkers in historically underrepresented populations receive the training they need to begin careers at manufacturers across New York State. Building on MACNY’s highly successful Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP), NY-RAMP will promote equitable access to Registered Apprenticeship Programs for all individuals, regardless of their work experience or academic qualifications. NY-RAMP will address Registered Apprenticeship program creation challenges specific to the region, such as identifying appropriate participants, working with businesses to create curricula, and supporting program retention. To ensure successful scaling, the program intends to develop and launch expansion programming in three phases starting with Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, Rochester, and the Capital District in Phase 1; adding Western New York, the Southern Tier, and New York City in Phase 2; and expanding to the Hudson Valley and Long Island in Phase 3.

MACNY has recruited an expansive list of more than 75 key regional and statewide partners, including: employer partners like Micron Technology, GlobalFoundries, Wolfspeed, Indium Corporation, Semikron Danfoss, and MOOG; apprenticeship partners like Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, Center for Economic Growth, Council of Industry, Ignite Long Island, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier; and Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association; education partners like Mohawk Valley Community College, Onondaga Community College, SUNY Schenectady, and Monroe Community College; workforce partners like CenterState CEO, CNY Works, Oswego County Workforce Career Center, Working Solutions, and the Capital Region Workforce Development Board; partners focused on serving underrepresented populations like the Arc of Onondaga, Action for a Better Community, and LAUNCH CNY; and dozens more. For more information about NY-RAMP, visit nysapprenticeship.org/ny-ramp.

Randy Wolken, President & CEO of MACNY stated, “NY-RAMP will enable manufacturers from across the state to provide career pathways in high-need areas to individuals from all backgrounds. This will foster growth across all manufacturing sectors – new companies relocating to New York in emerging fields like semiconductor and nanotechnology, biotechnology, and clean energy, as well as legacy manufacturers who have been the backbone of our economy for generations. This effort is only possible because of the strength of federal and state officials, the Manufacturers Alliance of New York partners, and the nearly 100 industrial, academic, and community partners who support this program. We especially want to recognize the continued advocacy of Senator Schumer to strengthen American manufacturing and the workforce needed to meet New York’s manufacturing moment.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said“MACNY’s Registered Apprenticeship program represents a transformative opportunity for New York’s workforce. This investment will not only provide essential training and upskilling to hundreds of New Yorkers but also promote equitable access to high-quality manufacturing careers. I commend MACNY and all its partners for their dedication to advancing our state’s workforce and driving economic growth.”

Bob Coyne, Executive Director of Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association said, “NY-RAMP comes at a crucial time in New York States’ economic growth, specifically for the employers in advanced technologies that are coming to our region or expanding and looking for skilled workers. With the ‘NY SMART I-Corridor’ designation bringing semiconductor manufacturing into New York State, apprenticeship programs are more important than ever. As a member of the Manufacturers Alliance of New York, this program will allow us to expand our training offerings and generate more awareness about the in-demand and good paying jobs in advanced manufacturing. We would like to extend our thanks to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his commitment to bringing manufacturing back to America, specifically New York State.”

Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer of Center for Economic Growth shared, The Capital Region recently hit a 22-year high for employment in manufacturing driven by growth from its legacy companies and demand from critical sectors like semiconductors, clean energy, and biomanufacturing. NY-RAMP strengthens our collective ability to reach people who have traditionally been disconnected from opportunities and provide them with pathways to good paying jobs. As the Capital Region’s DOL Sponsor for Registered Apprenticeship and partner of the Manufacturing Alliance of New York, the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) sees firsthand the power of registered apprenticeship and its impact on individuals and regional growth. We want to thank Senator Schumer for his dedication to growing and strengthening New York’s position as a leader in manufacturing.”

Robert Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterState CEO stated, “Our region is preparing for an unprecedented period of growth. This includes ensuring our local workforce has the skills and experience needed to excel in high demand careers. We are committed to supporting our partners at MACNY and this critical program that will enable those from historically underrepresented populations to train for careers with regional manufacturers. We are grateful to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his support, advocacy and ongoing commitment to ensuring our community is well positioned to lead in the semiconductor and adjacent industries.”

Randall VanWagoner, President of Mohawk Valley Community College shared, “This funding serves as a catalyst for the continued workforce transformation of the Upstate regions.  Mohawk Valley Community College has enjoyed partnering to develop meaningful solutions for various workforce challenges through creative collaborations with MACNY and looks forward to continuing our successful partnership in the future with NY-RAMP and other initiatives.”

Dr. Warren M. Hilton, President of Onondaga Community College said, “Onondaga Community College is proud to be a member of the NY-RAMP team which will prepare people for rewarding careers in manufacturing. Through education and training, citizens of all ages will have the opportunity to be a part of the transformative growth that promises to improve our region and people’s lives. My thanks to MACNY for leading this effort, all of our NY-RAMP partners in education and training for success, and Senator Schumer for his continued support.”

*This product was funded in whole or in part by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor.