Orleans/Niagara BOCES students will hold signing day as they pursue careers in trades, tech

Posted 26 February 2020 at 8:33 am

Press Release, Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association and Monroe Community College

MEDINA – “Signing Events” aren’t just for professional athletes anymore. Today high school students from Orleans/Niagara BOCES and their families will gather in Medina at 5:15 p.m. for the second  “Signing Day” for the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program. The students are in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Class led William Rakonczay.

Modeled after the NFL’s high-energy, suspense-filled Draft Day, the Youth Apprenticeship “Signing Day” will feature an official “Draft Clock,” contract announcements, signings between students and employers, photo ops, team swag, and the first steps to bright careers for these youth.

This unprecedented program, coordinated by the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association and Monroe Community College, was launched in Fall 2019 and includes a competitive, multi-phased application and interview process that pairs qualified high school students with local manufacturing companies for related instruction, job shadowing, and paid co-ops.

Developed by the RTMA and MCC, this unparalleled initiative was created to proactively address the increasing need for a well-trained labor supply in the manufacturing sector.

“We are experiencing a resurgence of American Manufacturing in our region and must take bold steps to provide highly skilled workforce to grow manufacturing capacity,” stated Bob Coyne, Workforce Development Director for the RTMA.  “The former days of manufacturing are behind us and we are proud to usher in the next generation of talented students who will help lead the industry to a new era of technology, international competition, and manufacturing distinction.”

Twenty leading manufacturers have stepped forward to serve as Student Sponsors for the inaugural Youth Apprenticeship Program. These companies include: E&R Machine Inc, JT Precision Inc, NAC, Niagara Precision Limited, Pivot Precision, TF Enterprise, Voss, Precision Grinding & Manufacturing, Acro Industries, Inc., Jrlon Engineered Products, JML Optical, Love Beets, OptiPro, Optimax, Kodak, PEKO Precision Products, Micro Instrument Corp., Precise Tooling & Manufacturing, and Cannon Industries.  The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program is supported by funding from RG&E and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.

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