Workforce Development

The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) has its origins in workforce development in the 1950s. Recognizing the need for a steady flow of qualified skilled workers, the owners of tooling and machining companies joined together and created the Rochester Tooling and Machining Institute. The school generated hundreds of candidates for the manufacturing workforce. In the mid 1990’s, the RTMA conveyed its school to Monroe Community College (MCC). Today, its members serve on the MCC Advisory Board for the Precision Machining Program.

The RTMA recognizes that technology intensive and dynamic advanced manufacturers require highly skilled workers to perform at leading-edge levels and compete globally. In order to facilitate the development of skilled workers, the RTMA provides the following benefits:

Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association Apprenticeship Program

In 2018, RTMA entered into an Intermediary Agreement with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to be a Sponsor for Advanced Manufacturing Trades. This allows the RTMA to bring companies under their Sponsorship, as a signatory and remove a significant burden from individual companies. Today, the RTMA sponsors more than 15 advanced manufacturing trades. Apprenticeship is a formalized training program that allows youth to learn while they earn. Click here to learn more…

Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program

The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program connect students to industry through Matching Days which lead to job shadows and paid co-ops. To date, more than 500 students and 150 businesses in the region have participated in FLYAP. This one-of-a-kind program connects high school juniors and seniors to your company while still in high school. Click here to learn more…

Instruction through Tooling U-SME at a discount to the member.

Tooling U-SME is the nation’s number one manufacturing-specific online training service. It offers real-world, practical, and technical education with more than 400 unique online classes targeted to engineers, machinists, press operators, assemblers, and industrial maintenance professionals. Course content has been developed to provide innovative learning tools that help manufacturers bolster their expertise and leverage their workforce to successfully compete in today’s economy. Click here to learn more…

Looking to get your employees trained in Microsoft Office or in Project Management? New Horizons might be right for you! As an RTMA member you will get a discount on any classes you take. Click here to find out more!

Subsidized MasterCam Training

This is provided through OptiPro, a certified reseller and training facility for Mastercam, the world’s most popular CAD/CAM Software. Training is provided at OptiPro’s state-of-the-art facility from beginner to advanced levels. Click here for more information!

The RTMA provides a Job Fair program in order to assist its members in acquiring qualified skilled employees.

Recruitment on the Road is a job fair program that helps your business connect with quality job seekers throughout the Finger Lakes Region.

We will help you run a virtual job fair that is customized to your business. You’ll have the exclusive opportunity to showcase why you’re the best company to work for and network with candidates. We’ll set up the event and take care of registration through Eventbrite. We will promote the event to our list of over 300 community partners, as well as thousands of job seekers.

Recruitment on the Road is available to both members and non-members. For RTMA members, it will cost $100 + a $750 job placement fee, and for non-members it will be $250 + a $1,250 job placement fee.

For more information, please email jobs@rtma.org and make sure to follow us on Eventbrite to stay up-to-date with the latest job fairs.

To encourage education and training in Precision Machining, the RTMA offers several scholarships.

The target market for this assistance is students enrolling in the Precision Machining Program at MCC’s Applied Technologies Center. Member employees are eligible. All applications must be submitted to Naomi Marshall, RTMA Office Manager, email: nmarshall@rtma.org or hard copy submitted to RTMA Office, 2024 W. Henrietta Road, Suite 3-J, Rochester, NY 14623. Click below to download scholarship information and application (.pdf).

“Thanks for helping us to improve our education towards our goals.” – Abdul wali Abdulwakil (MCC Student)

National Manufacturing Day

This is a celebration of Advanced Manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. The RTMA annually promotes an event to improve the public perception of manufacturing careers, and manufacturing’s value within the Greater Rochester Economy.