Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program hosts Premier “Signing Day Event” on March 10, 2021
Press release
With a combination of technology, determination and creative planning, the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program held its 2021 Genesee Valley BOCES “Signing Day” event – IN PERSON—on Wednesday, March 10 at 5:00 p.m. To celebrate this special occasion, 19 local high school students were joined by their families and eight leading manufacturing businesses at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. Taking strict measures to ensure the health and safety of all, organizers arranged a hybrid event that will combine the excitement of an in-person celebration for all students while also streaming the festivities for those supporters not able to attend in person.
Modeled after the NFL’s high-energy, suspense-filled Draft Day, the Youth Apprenticeship “Signing Day” featured contract announcements, official signings between students and employers, photo ops, team swag, and the first steps to bright careers for these youth.
In its second year, this innovative program, coordinated by the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association (RTMA) and Monroe Community College (MCC) with sponsorship from RG&E and the Ralph C Wilson Foundation, is the exciting culmination of 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. This year’s “Signing Day” event for Genesee Valley BOCES students is being hosted at the Batavia CTE Campus.
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. “During this past year, as the world scrambled to address the pandemic, the manufacturing industry swiftly and strategically responded, effectively providing essential supplies while keeping our economic engines running. This experience further underscored the growing resurgence of American Manufacturing in our region,” states Bob Coyne, Executive 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.”
Eight manufacturers have stepped forward to serve as Sponsors for Genesee Valley BOCES students. These companies include: Amada Tool, Bonduelle USA Inc, DP Tool, O-AT-KA Milk, Oxbo, and Turnbull HVAC. The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program is supported by funding from RG&E and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Morgan Coniber is a senior from Le Roy High School who is enrolled in our Welding Program. She will sign with Oxbo for a co-op program as a welder.
Nicole Hume, from Alexander High School, is signing for a CNC Machining co-op with Amada. Nichole is a senior in our CNC Machining Program.
Cole Sullivan is a student in our Electromechanical Trades Program. He is a senior from Le Roy High School who is signing for an Electromechanical Technician co-op with Oxbo.
Nathan Stokes, a senior from Batavia High School, is a student in our CNC Machining Program. Nathan is already working in a CNC Machining co-op program with Amada.
Dan Savea, a junior from Batavia High School, is enrolled in our Metal Trades Program. He will sign for a Welding job shadow program with Oxbo.
Madison Brandes is a junior who is enrolled in our Metal Trades Program. Her home school is Le Roy High School. She is signing for a CNC Machining job shadow with Amada.
Luke Rindell from Batavia High School is a student in our Electromechanical Trades program. This senior will sign with Oxbo for a Electromechanical Technician job shadow program.
Kaiel Robinson is enrolled in our Electromechanical Trades Program. This senior from Le Roy High School is signing for an Electromechanical Technician co-op program with Turnbull.
Adam Risewick, a junior from Le Roy High School, is a student in our Electromechanical Trades Program. He is signing with Oxbo for an Electromechanical Technician job shadow program.
Jaden Pocock from Byron Bergen High School is a student in our Electromechanical Trades Program. This senior will sign with Turnbull for an Electromechanical Technician co-op program.
Eric Offhaus is a student in our Welding Program. This junior from Pavilion High School will sign for a welding job shadow with Oxbo.
Henry Schafer attends Notre Dame High School in Batavia. Henry is a senior in our Electromechanical Trades Program. He will sign for an Electromechanical Technician co-op with Bonduelle.
Zach Vanderhoof from Le Roy High School is enrolled in our Electromechanical Trades Program. This junior will sign with O-AT-KA for an Electromechanical Technician job shadow program.
Zach Freidhaber is enrolled in our CNC Machining Program. This senior from Attica High School is signing with Bonduelle for a CNC Machining co-op program.
Jacob Beale, a junior from Elba High School, is enrolled in our Metal Trades program. Jacob will sign for an Electronics Technician job shadow program with O-AT-KA.
Sara Lis is enrolled in our Metal Trades Program. This senior from Pavilion High School is signing for a Pipefitter job shadow program with Bonduelle.
Lillias Bell is a junior from Caledonia-Mumford High School. She is enrolled in our Metal Trades Program and will sign with DP Tool for a CNC Machining job shadow program.
Alex Lynn is enrolled in our Electromechanical Trades Program. This junior from Caledonia-Mumford High School is signing with DP Tool for an Electromechanical Technician job shadow.
Anthony Lippert is a junior from Livonia High School who will sign with DP Tool from a Machine Builder job shadow.