MACNY, The Manufacturers Association has been awarded $6.5 million in funding from the Empire State Development Office of Strategic Workforce Development to scale its successful Direct Entry Pre-Apprenticeship programs. As announced by Governor Kathy Hochul last week, this funding is part of over $15.5 million earmarked to support workforce initiatives across New York State.
This funding marks a pivotal moment for MACNY as it expands its Real Life Rosies® and Advance 2 Apprenticeship™ programs across New York State. These programs, which were launched in 2023 in the Mohawk Valley, have already proven successful in introducing underrepresented communities, including women and people with disabilities, to careers in advanced manufacturing. To date, the Real Life Rosies program has successfully introduced more than 100 trainees to advanced manufacturing careers. This expansion will scale the original pre-apprenticeship program.
Michael Frame, Executive Vice President of MACNY, shared, “Thank you to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to New York’s manufacturers through supporting these critical programs. New Yorkers across the state will have the opportunity to join the manufacturing workforce, providing tangible results for our communities. We are grateful to Commissioner Knight and Commissioner Reardon, for providing the opportunity to harness the power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusiveness in shaping a more diverse, skilled workforce ready to thrive in the industries of tomorrow. The expansion of these programs marks a transformative moment for workers and industries. By scaling to new regions, MACNY and our partners are creating pathways to high-demand careers while empowering women, people with disabilities, and other historically marginalized communities.”
Expanding Access to In-Demand Skills
The $6.5 million grant will enable MACNY to extend its Real Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship pre-apprenticeship training programs into multiple regions across New York State, including New York City, Central New York Capital Region, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, and Western New York. These efforts will significantly increase access to high-quality, industry-recognized training in advanced manufacturing, nanotechnology, and clean energy.
The Real Life Rosies program, which is already successfully running in the Mohawk Valley, will provide hands-on training and direct entry pathways into apprenticeships for women and marginalized populations while also providing wrap-around services such as childcare and transportation. Likewise, the Advance 2 Apprenticeship program will work with local SUNY community colleges to offer training in the growing fields of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and green energy.
Supporting New Yorkers and Business Partners
Collaborating with partners like the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) and Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA), MACNY will provide trainees with the skills needed to succeed in sectors vital to the future of New York’s economy. These partnerships will ensure that the training programs are aligned with the specific needs of employers across the state, resulting in a direct pipeline of skilled workers ready to contribute to high-demand industries.
Katie Newcombe, Chief Economic Development Officer of Center for Economic Growth (CEG), shared, “Real Life Rosies creates a supportive apprenticeship pathway for women to access good-paying careers in manufacturing. This direct-entry model not only provides life-changing opportunities for women, but it also enhances our diverse, trained, and growing workforce for local manufacturers. The Center for Economic Growth is excited to continue its longstanding partnership with MACNY by helping to launch and manage Real Life Rosies in the Capital Region.”
Bob Coyne, Executive Director of the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA), expressed, “We are proud to partner with MACNY and the Manufacturing Alliance to utilize this strategic workforce funding. RTMA plans to expand Women in Manufacturing events, create a Real Life Rosies program, and grow the Advance 2 Apprenticeship efforts in the Finger Lakes, engaging underrepresented populations in advanced manufacturing. These initiatives will provide registered apprenticeship opportunities with support from New York State workforce development funding. We would like to thank Governor Hochul for her vision and support in advancing economic growth in the region.”
Ongoing Commitment to Workforce Development
MACNY’s programs are part of the broader $60 million investment made by New York State to support workforce development across the state. To date, these efforts have impacted nearly 15,000 New Yorkers, with funding from both the state and private sector totaling more than $65 million. The initiative is focused on building diverse, skilled talent pipelines and addressing critical workforce shortages in emerging industries.