RTMA Secures Nearly $20,000 in Exclusive Incentive Funds for Local Apprenticeship Companies

The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) today announced it secured nearly $20,000 in exclusive incentive funding for local companies under the RTMA’s regional sponsorship of the New York State Registered Apprenticeship Program. The Jobs For the Future’s (JFF) Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning’s Improving Diversity and Equity in Apprenticeships for Manufacturing (IDEA-M) program awarded the funding through the RTMA’s involvement in the New York State Manufacturers Alliance Intermediary Partnership (MIAP).

IDEA-M assists manufacturing companies set up high-quality apprenticeship programs to meet their workforce goals with an emphasis on increasing and supporting the organization’s diversity and equity standards. Funding through this JFF grant can assist companies with related technical instruction, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, financial support for programs and apprentices and more.

The RTMA is distributing funds to seven of its signatory companies, including:

• An aerospace manufacturer in Clyde, Wayne County;
• An induction heating manufacturing company in the city of Rochester;
• A large chemical producing and mechatronics company in the city of Rochester;
• A packaging and printing company with locations in Gates and West Henrietta;
• A custom manufacturer of specialty metal and plastic products in Spencerport;
• A precision metal fabrication company in the city of Rochester; and
• An archery and hunting equipment manufacturer in West Henrietta.

Last year, the JFF awarded the RTMA with an additional $35,000 in funds from the same program. IDEA-M is a five-year program funded by the United States Department of Labor. Funds can also be applied for additional classroom and/or online training, tools and supplies for apprentices and other costs associated with apprenticeship training.

These funds are exclusive to companies that partner with the RTMA on the NYS Registered Apprenticeship Program for advanced manufacturing. To date, the RTMA has secured more than $1.5 million in funding for education, tools and materials and incentives for its signatory companies. To find out more, email info@rtma.org or call (585) 510-6557.