Another School District Promotes High-Tech Manufacturing Careers
Dream It, Do It WNY Welcomes Ken-Ton Schools
Buffalo, NY, April 24, 2013 --(PR.com)-- The Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance today announced that Kenmore – Town of Tonawanda UFSD will participate in Dream It, Do It WNY’s expansion into Erie and Niagara Counties. Dream It, Do It WNY (DIDI WNY) is designed to engage, educate and employ the next generation of advanced manufacturing talent.
“In the last three months, DIDI WNY has exposed 2,500 middle and high school students to high-tech manufacturing careers,” said Nadine Powell, Director of Business Development at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “We welcome the Ken-Ton as one of several school districts eager to change the outdated perception of manufacturing and offer its students clear pathways to available careers in the region.”
DIDI WNY aims to:
· - Provide a clear understanding of manufacturing and career opportunities for students interested in a variety of fields, including: sales, marketing, operations, and engineering as well as vital production roles in machining and welding
· Promote manufacturing and career opportunities to students, parents, career counselors and educators through hands-on experiences such as facility tours, in-classroom experiences, learning labs, industry internships and STEM-related competitions
· Create clear educational pathways (as well as internship and tuition reimbursement opportunities) for students interested in pursuing various manufacturing-related training, certificate or degree programs after high school.
With most local manufacturers reporting a "moderate to severe" shortage of qualified talent, DIDI WNY addresses the skills gap through a collaborative effort been Buffalo Niagara manufacturers and schools.
“Our district is well on the way to creating viable learning pathways for all students as evidenced by our newly formed State Education Department-approved Career Technical Education Academies in both high schools,” said Mark Mondanaro, superintendent of Kenmore – Town of Tonawanda UFSD Schools. “We are infusing the Common Core Standards to bolster vertical alignment up through the academies, and we have an excellent relationship with the business community through our career and technical advisory boards. DIDI WNY is a real life initiative that will help us better prepare our youth for both college and careers."
Critically-needed manufacturing positions include: welders, industrial mechanics, machine operators, floor supervisors, engineering positions and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinists. DIDI WNY uses regional marketing and programming to address the outdated stereotypes associated with manufacturing careers and raise awareness about available jobs.
“Today we lack qualified candidates to fill family-sustaining employment positions within our local manufacturers. This is due in large part because for the last 35 years our government and schools systems have stopped promoting skilled trades at the high school level,” said Chris Sansone, president of Buffalo Niagara Manufacturers Association. “Unfortunately, the news doesn’t get any better. In its latest study, McKinsey & Co. has projected that by the year 2020, Western New York will need to fill approximately 16,000 manufacturing jobs as our aging workforce exits for retirement. As a result, the time is now for us to engage our youth and stir up interest in advanced manufacturing and promote advanced manufacturing skilled trades in our high schools. We have reached a critical juncture in Western New York manufacturing and we need to act now. Please join the BNMA in supporting the ‘Dream It Do It’ initiative.”
DIDI WNY creates strategic partnerships to recruit and train a qualified manufacturing workforce pipeline by aligning manufacturers, school districts, colleges, universities, workforce investment boards, economic development entities, community-based organizations that work with young people, as well as local, state and federal governments.
Dream It, Do It has continued to expand throughout Chautauqua, Alleghany, Erie, Cattaraugus and Niagara counties since 2009. DIDI WNY is supported by the WNY Regional Economic Development (REDC) through a $500,000, three-year grant for the five counties. The grant is structured to match private-sector dollars, so fundraising will support the program.
About The Buffalo Niagara Partnership
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes more than 2,000 employer members, working for improved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region. The Partnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies and resources to increase private sector investment and jobs. The Partnership also offers programs and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.
About Dream It Do It
Dream It Do It was conceived by the National Association of Manufacturers as a way to help modern manufacturers attract employees with the right mix of skills. The program launched in 2005 and has expanded throughout 17 regions. DIDI WNY aims to provide Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara and Allegany County manufacturers with a labor force that has the skill and training levels required to meet their demands.
About BNMA
The Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance (BNMA) is a non-profit organization representing manufacturers in the Buffalo Niagara region. Originally started in the 1940s, the BNMA has evolved into a modern, progressive manufacturing association. The mission of BNMA is to grow members companies while helping WNY thrive by being a national source for precision manufacturing.
“In the last three months, DIDI WNY has exposed 2,500 middle and high school students to high-tech manufacturing careers,” said Nadine Powell, Director of Business Development at the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “We welcome the Ken-Ton as one of several school districts eager to change the outdated perception of manufacturing and offer its students clear pathways to available careers in the region.”
DIDI WNY aims to:
· - Provide a clear understanding of manufacturing and career opportunities for students interested in a variety of fields, including: sales, marketing, operations, and engineering as well as vital production roles in machining and welding
· Promote manufacturing and career opportunities to students, parents, career counselors and educators through hands-on experiences such as facility tours, in-classroom experiences, learning labs, industry internships and STEM-related competitions
· Create clear educational pathways (as well as internship and tuition reimbursement opportunities) for students interested in pursuing various manufacturing-related training, certificate or degree programs after high school.
With most local manufacturers reporting a "moderate to severe" shortage of qualified talent, DIDI WNY addresses the skills gap through a collaborative effort been Buffalo Niagara manufacturers and schools.
“Our district is well on the way to creating viable learning pathways for all students as evidenced by our newly formed State Education Department-approved Career Technical Education Academies in both high schools,” said Mark Mondanaro, superintendent of Kenmore – Town of Tonawanda UFSD Schools. “We are infusing the Common Core Standards to bolster vertical alignment up through the academies, and we have an excellent relationship with the business community through our career and technical advisory boards. DIDI WNY is a real life initiative that will help us better prepare our youth for both college and careers."
Critically-needed manufacturing positions include: welders, industrial mechanics, machine operators, floor supervisors, engineering positions and Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machinists. DIDI WNY uses regional marketing and programming to address the outdated stereotypes associated with manufacturing careers and raise awareness about available jobs.
“Today we lack qualified candidates to fill family-sustaining employment positions within our local manufacturers. This is due in large part because for the last 35 years our government and schools systems have stopped promoting skilled trades at the high school level,” said Chris Sansone, president of Buffalo Niagara Manufacturers Association. “Unfortunately, the news doesn’t get any better. In its latest study, McKinsey & Co. has projected that by the year 2020, Western New York will need to fill approximately 16,000 manufacturing jobs as our aging workforce exits for retirement. As a result, the time is now for us to engage our youth and stir up interest in advanced manufacturing and promote advanced manufacturing skilled trades in our high schools. We have reached a critical juncture in Western New York manufacturing and we need to act now. Please join the BNMA in supporting the ‘Dream It Do It’ initiative.”
DIDI WNY creates strategic partnerships to recruit and train a qualified manufacturing workforce pipeline by aligning manufacturers, school districts, colleges, universities, workforce investment boards, economic development entities, community-based organizations that work with young people, as well as local, state and federal governments.
Dream It, Do It has continued to expand throughout Chautauqua, Alleghany, Erie, Cattaraugus and Niagara counties since 2009. DIDI WNY is supported by the WNY Regional Economic Development (REDC) through a $500,000, three-year grant for the five counties. The grant is structured to match private-sector dollars, so fundraising will support the program.
About The Buffalo Niagara Partnership
The Buffalo Niagara Partnership includes more than 2,000 employer members, working for improved business competitiveness and expanded economic activity in the region. The Partnership advocates, locally, and in Albany, and Washington, D.C., for policies and resources to increase private sector investment and jobs. The Partnership also offers programs and services to its members to increase their chances for business success.
About Dream It Do It
Dream It Do It was conceived by the National Association of Manufacturers as a way to help modern manufacturers attract employees with the right mix of skills. The program launched in 2005 and has expanded throughout 17 regions. DIDI WNY aims to provide Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Niagara and Allegany County manufacturers with a labor force that has the skill and training levels required to meet their demands.
About BNMA
The Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance (BNMA) is a non-profit organization representing manufacturers in the Buffalo Niagara region. Originally started in the 1940s, the BNMA has evolved into a modern, progressive manufacturing association. The mission of BNMA is to grow members companies while helping WNY thrive by being a national source for precision manufacturing.
Contact
Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Kelsey Hanks
716-541-1709
www.thepartnership.org
Kelsey Hanks
716-541-1709
www.thepartnership.org
Contact
Categories