National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (November 17 – 24th) was a remarkable celebration of apprenticeships, highlighting the success of apprentices and the benefits of these programs to individuals, employers, and the economy. As Group Sponsor of Indium Corporation’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, kicked off the week by joining them for the Apprentice Trailblazer Recognition event in Washington, D.C. Indium Corporation was honored for their commitment to the Apprenticeship Trailblazer Initiative, aimed at diversifying and expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs.
The week also celebrated exceptional apprentices like Lilly Kohlbach and Colin Corcoran, welding apprentices at CNY Fabrication/GA Braun, Inc., who are on track to earn their Journeyworker credentials while attending Onondaga Community College. With deep roots in CNY, Terrell’s Chips showed their support for ‘apprentice-CHIPS’ by providing snacks during signing events to celebrate apprentices from the following companies: 110 Metalworks, Anheuser-Busch, Baxter International Inc., Belden Inc., City of Syracuse, Consolidated Precision Products, EMCom, Inc, F.X. Matt Brewing Company, Flex-Hose Co Inc, G.A. Braun Inc, Hubbard Tool & Die Corporation, Huhtamaki, Knowles Precision Devices, Plug Power, Smurfit Westrock, Wolfspeed, and XTO Incorporated.

Meanwhile, at the inaugural ‘Salute to Manufacturing’ event in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College, outstanding contributions to New York State’s manufacturing community were recognized, with awards presented to leaders such as Wolfspeed, Semikron Danfoss, and Indium Corporation. As part of the celebration, the contributions of women in apprenticeships were highlighted, including the first cohort of Real Life Rosies graduates at Belden Inc., who are beginning their Quality Assurance Auditor Registered Apprenticeships. The week concluded with a heartfelt salute to veterans in apprenticeship, such as Terri Jackson, a Manufacturing Engineering Technician apprentice who’s on track to earn her Journeyworker certification from Hardinge, Inc.

Randy Wolken, President & CEO of MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, shared, “National Apprenticeship Week showcased the transformative power of Registered Apprenticeships, celebrating the dedication of apprentices and the invaluable contributions of employers. From honoring trailblazers like Indium Corporation to spotlighting the achievements of apprentices, this week reinforced that apprenticeships not only open doors to high-demand careers but also fuel economic growth, foster diversity, and strengthen industries for the future.”

To date, the Manufacturers Alliance of New York has registered 1,080 apprentices with 221 Signatory Companies. These efforts have helped strengthen our economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into good jobs, and advancing racial and gender equity.