Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks was joined by representatives from Monroe Community College (MCC), Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES and the Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturers’ Enterprise, to congratulate the first-ever graduating class of the Summer Advanced Manufacturing Experience at the MCC Applied Technology Center. The Summer Advanced Manufacturing Experience is funded by Monroe County and designed to create a hands-on experience for 10^th and 11^th graders in the precision manufacturing career field. Today’s graduation marked the successful completion of the program for 14 participants. 

 

With over 40% of the Greater Rochester Region’s workforce in the advanced manufacturing field approaching retirement age, this program has proven to be groundbreaking in a recent effort to keep local manufacturing strong in Monroe County. Graduates of the program have acquired precision machine skills at Western Monroe County BOCES in the Town of Spencerport, in addition to spending three Fridays visiting various manufacturers in Monroe County.

 

“The Summer Advanced Manufacturing Experience program is a wonderful way for our local high school students to gain invaluable real-life experience as they prepare for rewarding careers in the precision manufacturing industry,” said County Executive Brooks. “Today’s 14 graduates represent a step in the right direction toward growing our local workforce, bolstering our economy and creating hundreds of manufacturing jobs right here in Monroe County.”

 

"Advanced manufacturing is a critical industry cluster for our region, accounting for 20% of the regional economy," said Todd Oldham, Vice President of Economic Development and Innovative Workforce Services at Monroe Community College. "The local manufacturing industry is experiencing a shortage of skilled trade workers that is expected to get worse. The Summer Advanced Manufacturing Experience provides high school students with the opportunity to gain basic career skills, and experience first-hand how those skills are applied in real-life work environments. This is a great step toward building the workforce of tomorrow."

 

Today’s graduates each received three credit hours of MCC Precision Machine Program credit and are also qualified for an opportunity to receive a scholarship of up to $8,500 toward an A.A.S. degree in Precision Manufacturing at MCC. The Summer Advanced Manufacturing Experience is the result of a collaborative partnership between Monroe County, MCC, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES and the Finger Lakes Advanced Manufacturers’ Enterprise.