FLYAP Hosts Women in Manufacturing Summit for Dozens of Local Students & Businesses

Rochester – The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program (FLYAP) hosted a Women in Manufacturing Summit today at NextCorps in Downtown Rochester. The event was attended both in-person and virtually by dozens of students, educators and businesses.

FLYAP is a career exploration program which connects high school juniors and seniors to job shadows and paid co-ops at local advanced manufacturing companies. One of the goals of the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program is to introduce more young women to careers, apprenticeships, training and other opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to expose young females to opportunities not always considered by girls,” said Wendy Smith, Senior Director of Operations of Re:Build Optimaton and panelist. “I was fortunate enough to grow up and work with my hands in male-dominated fields in both high school and after I graduated; but many are unaware of those opportunities and don’t pursue them. FLYAP is a great way for our youth to learn about, and experience, some exciting and rewarding career paths.”

The Women in Manufacturing Summit featured a panel of industry experts and educators that shared their experiences in advanced manufacturing. Today’s presentation will also be sent to schools, families and businesses throughout the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region.

“Team FLYAP is excited to host dozens of young women and educators at today’s Women in Manufacturing Summit,” added FLYAP Program Director Rich Turner. “We want to show all students – especially young women – there are a lot of great opportunities in advanced manufacturing that feature great pay and benefits, room for advancement and little to no-cost education.”

Students from Genesee BOCES in Batavia, BOCES 2/WEMOCO, East High School, Fairport, Greece and Rochester Academy Charter School attended the event in person, along with educators from the Rochester City School District, Mount Morris BOCES, BOCES One/EMCC and BOCES 2 CWD. Educators and students from West Irondequoit, Gates-Chili, Wayne Finger Lakes BOCES, Webster, Brighton, Lyons and Alden schools also attended the event virtually.

The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) and Monroe Community College (MCC) created the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program in 2018 to recruit high school juniors and seniors into advanced manufacturing. Now in its fourth year, FLYAP is the only manufacturing youth apprenticeship program in New York State.

Students can apply for the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program at www.FLYAP.org through the end of October. You can contact FLYAP at info@fingerlakesyouthapprenticeship.org or (585) 510-4278. Businesses interested in hosting job shadows and/or paid co-ops can also contact FLYAP by emailing rturner@rtma.org.