MEMO OF SUPPORT

FY 2022 State Budget- Department of Labor
$750,000 – Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program for New York State

The Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and the Manufacturers Alliance of New York support continued state funding of the highly successful New York State Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP) in the amount of $750,000 as a budget line item in the FY 2022 State Budget.

Since 2016, New York state has provided funding for MIAP, a program targeted at raising the skill levels of incumbent and entry-level manufacturing workers while filling a crucial staffing need within the industry.  The effective pilot of this apprenticeship program in Central New York created a statewide need to expand and support registered apprenticeships in high demand sectors.  Today, the MACNY program in Central New York has more than 60 active apprentices and pre-apprentices at more than 50 different companies. While we have had to hold some programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Central New York’s commitment remains strong as many new apprentices are projected for the calendar year. We also are prospecting more than 20 new industry sector partners to expand opportunities for Central New York residents in various fields, such as insurance, automotive, IT and gaming, food, and fine jewelry.

The Manufacturers Alliance of New York consists of partner organizations in seven regions throughout the state (Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Western New York, Western Southern Tier, Rochester, Long Island) with each organization having a dedicated apprenticeship subject expert to support regional businesses.

Our Alliance partner in the Rochester area has more than 100 apprentices enrolled to date, and our Alliance partner in the Hudson Valley area has more than 50 apprentices enrolled in the program. In addition, the Capital Region has begun supporting many new apprentices. Long Island, which began MIAP in 2019, also continues to expand its industry sector partners and apprenticeship opportunities.

With its use of trusted associations as intermediaries, along with its collaborative partnering, MIAP is a unique model of apprenticeship. Through MIAP, students obtain employment first and then receive necessary training supplied to them by an employer.  As a result of this model, industry participants see an increase in productivity, reduced turnover, and greater employee retention. As employers continue to struggle to fill open positions, apprenticeships have proven year after year to serve as an important tool in addressing workforce development needs.

Given the tremendous success to date, we feel MIAP is a critical tool for continuing to build a skilled workforce throughout New York. The program is an essential component of a workforce development strategy to build a stronger New York State economy through advanced manufacturing.