Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) is making good on one of his campaign promises: the manufacturing pre-apprentice program for which he garnered state funding is set to launch later this year.
Stirpe joined representatives from CenterState CEO, Onondaga Community College, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and local manufacturing companies April 30 at Darco Manufacturing in Mattydale to unveil the Manufacturing Careers Partnership, which will train 40 to 60 people for entry-level manufacturing jobs by the end of 2015.
“There are a growing number of manufacturing jobs that require specialized training but not necessarily a traditional four-year degree,” Stirpe said. “This initiative will help prepare students for the high-tech jobs that already exist in Central New York and connect them with local employers searching for skilled workers.”
Stirpe brought home a $600,000 grant from this year’s state budget to help fund the pre-apprenticeship program to create manufacturing jobs in the region. This grant brings the state’s contribution to local manufacturing education and career initiatives to $1.2 million over the last two years.
Part of CenterState CEO’s Work Train, the Manufacturing Careers Partnership will match unemployed and underemployed Central New Yorkers with local manufacturing companies for pre-apprenticeships, providing the workers with intensive foundational skills training to prepare them for a career in manufacturing.
“There are countless men and women in our community who are motivated, but are sitting on the sidelines,” said Dominic Robinson, CenterState CEO’s vice president of community prosperity and Work Train director. “Through this new partnership, we are building on the success of Work Train’s dual client model, creating opportunities for community members and meeting the needs of employers at the same time. We do this by bringing together partners, aligning existing resources and facilitating workforce solutions to create new opportunities for the community.”
Laura Miller, general manager of Darco Manufacturing, said many people do not realize that manufacturing is a growing sector of Central New York’s economy.
“If you can dream something, we can make it in this town,” Miller said.
She said a “vibrant network of small to mid-size” manufacturers is prospering in the region, but baby boomers are aging out of the workforce and leaving a talent gap.
“Collectively, perhaps our biggest challenge is connecting to hidden talent we have right here in our community,” Miller said. “Many of us need entry-level workers today, and we need those workers to be prepared to step into skilled positions in the coming years as our older workers retire.”
CenterState CEO will work with MACNY, the Central New York Technology Development Organization, the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center, OCC and local manufacturers to finalize the curriculum for students. Recruitment begins in June. CenterState CEO hopes to place as many as 60 workers by the end of the year and 300 workers by 2017.
