MACNY APPLAUDS CONTINUED STATE INVESTMENT IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

$1.75 Million Secured for the Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP), Additional Investments Support the Real Life Rosies® Program

MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and the Manufacturers Alliance of New York today announced that the FY2026 New York State Budget includes $1.75 million in level funding to sustain the Manufacturers Intermediary Apprenticeship Program (MIAP). First launched in 2016 with support from the State Legislature, MIAP has proven to be an essential tool in helping manufacturers build a skilled workforce and strengthen New York’s advanced manufacturing economy by serving as an intermediary to establish and manage New York State Registered Apprenticeship Programs. State Senators Chris Ryan, Sean Ryan, and Rachel May are tremendous champions of this program and have worked to ensure the program’s continued funding and success.

MACNY President & CEO Randy Wolken stated, “We are grateful to the State Senate for including this critical funding in its one-house budget proposal and thank the many members of the State Legislature who strongly advocated to see that continued funding was included in the final budget. This funding will help us continue to expand MIAP into new regions and trades statewide.”

MACNY is also proud to announce that the state budget includes $500 thousand to expand the Real Life Rosies® program. Originally funded by the Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development, Real Life Rosies is the first New York State Department of Labor-funded direct-entry, pre-apprenticeship program for women in advanced manufacturing. This first-time funding allocation through the New York State Department of Labor provides expanded skills training and professional development to help women access high-demand manufacturing careers. Developed in partnership with Mohawk Valley Community College; The Herkimer, Madison, and Oneida Workforce Development Board; and other local organizations, this no-cost program provides training, certifications, and other wrap-around services to address barriers like childcare, transportation, and work-related supplies. Since its 2023 launch, Real Life Rosies has trained more than 120 women and expanded into new regions, including the Mohawk Valley and Onondaga and Oswego counties.

MACNY would like to especially thank Assemblymembers Pamela Hunter, Donna Lupardo and Carrie Woerner – all whom were instrumental in securing funding for this program. Their efforts will ensure more women across the state have the opportunity to forge a path in manufacturing.

In addition, MACNY applauds Governor Hochul and the State Legislature’s commitment to eliminating New York’s outstanding federal Unemployment Insurance (UI) loan. This investment restores financial stability to the state’s UI fund and reduces federal UI taxes on businesses statewide. MACNY joined statewide coalition efforts to advocate for this issue.

These victories reflect the collective efforts of MACNY’s Government Relations Team, our Alliance Partners, and our members, who worked together to advocate for meaningful workforce and economic development policies. “We thank our members for raising their voices and sharing their insights with legislators,” added Wolken. “Your advocacy continues to demonstrate that there is strength in numbers.”