Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced legislation included in his “Prepare Our Workforce” initiative has passed the Assembly (A.7673). This legislation would provide critical funding to train workers in advanced manufacturing. The initiative is aimed at closing the “middle-skills gap” by providing students with an opportunity to be better prepared for entrance into the workforce. With Vice President Joe Biden coming to Rochester to illustrate the need to fill these positions, it is clearer than ever that New York need to better prepare students for skilled jobs.

The advanced manufacturing funding bill would provide state funding to educational institutions, such as Monroe Community College, not-for-profits, industry public-private partnerships and individuals for the training and certification needed to enter the field of advanced manufacturing. Specialty training courses in advanced manufacturing can run upward of $5,000 each. Also, employers hiring for jobs requiring specific, technical skills would save on training costs for new employees.

“The legislation today passed in the Assembly would go a long way toward helping local job seekers gain the skills they need to fill the good paying local jobs available right here in Rochester,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “The job market has shifted and manufacturing jobs are coming back to NYS. Now we need to train our workforce to fill those positions.”

The other legislation included in the “Prepare Our Workforce” initiative would create a new Career and Technical (CTE) high school diploma, which would give high school students the opportunity to swap electives for training in skilled labor positions. A CTE diploma would be an effective means of incorporating the option of learning “middle-skills” into high school curriculum. Bi-partisan momentum is building in Albany for the CTE diploma, with many legislators in both the Assembly and Senate joining together to advocate for our students.

Too often, high school students who don’t have the means or desire to attend a four-year college are left ill-prepared for the workforce. A CTE diploma would give students the option to replace some electives with technical classes through BOCES, including machining, IT development, manufacturing and health-related training. Bronson noted, “Let’s give students the opportunity to learn skills in a specific trade and help them receive real-life training before graduation, moving them start a meaningful career.”

“The “middle-skills” gap is a real problem employers are facing in the new economy,” Assemblymember Bronson said. “New York manufacturers are creating good paying jobs, if we prepare our workforce to fill them, we will have a stronger economy.”

Individuals who would like to support the “Prepare Our Workforce” initiative can sign a petition on Assembly Member Bronson’s webpage, found here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Harry-B-Bronson/.