MACNY, PEB awards ceremony honors workforce-development achievement

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The 2024 Workforce Development Awards recognized the accomplishments of students and registered apprentices pursuing an education or careers in manufacturing and other industries. The awards event also acknowledged those supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers and education. MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, and Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB) hosted it on June 12 at Le Moyne College. The nonprofit PEB is MACNY’s K-16 (education) arm. In addition, “as a testament to their commitment to upskill and bolster the talent-development pipeline,” MACNY concluded the program with a first-ever apprentice signing for four of its own employees to “signify the beginning of their apprenticeship journey.” “This year was especially meaningful for MACNY because four of our own staff members signed their apprenticeship paperwork, demonstrating our belief in the effectiveness of the program and the value of building our workforce through upskilling,” Randy Wolken, president and CEO of DeWitt–based MACNY, said in a statement. “On behalf of the MACNY Board of Directors, staff, and the manufacturing community, we would like to extend our congratulations to all of those that were honored at this year’s event.” Those from MACNY that participated in the signing included Murjan Abdi, a workforce-development specialist apprentice; Colleen Blagg, a project manager apprentice; Amanda Rice, a project manager apprentice, and Justyna Valencia, a marketing coordinator apprentice. The ceremony also recognized 29 registered apprentice graduates that earned their Journeyworker credential in 2023 from the New York State Department of Labor. The companies that received recognition for expanding their registered-apprenticeship programs from January 2023 to April 2024 included 110 Metalworks Inc.; Allen Tool Phoenix, Inc.; Bausch + Lomb; Belden Inc.; Bush Industries; Consolidated Precision Products (CPP); EMCom, Inc.; Hardinge, Inc.; Hubbard Tool & Die Corp.; Indium Corporation; Knowles; North Country Dairy; Superior Metals Manufacturing; and Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Inc. The companies that were recognized as new signatories were: Buxton Medical Equipment Devices, Eaton Crouse-Hinds, Flex-Hose Co. Inc., F.X. Matt Brewing Company, GSE Dynamics Inc., Plug Power Inc., Semikron Danfoss, and Wolfspeed. MACNY tells CNYBJ that a signatory is “an employer who is part of a group program (such as MACNY), and has executed a written agreement with a New York State Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor and has agreed to be bound by the terms, standards and conditions of the program.” “This event is a powerful testament to the dedication and hard work of students, apprentices, and the companies that support them in their journey towards successful careers,” Roberta Reardon, commissioner of the New York State Department of Labor said in the MACNY announcement. “The recognition of these individuals and the commitment shown by MACNY and PEB in fostering talent development underscores the vital role of workforce development in the economic growth of Central New York. The DOL is proud to support these efforts and celebrate the accomplishments of all the awardees and apprentices.”

PEB Awards

PEB also used the event to announce its 12th cohort of CNY STEM Scholars, which includes 11 Central New York students, each of whom had a company sponsor, MACNY said. The PEB Awards also recognized community partners, local organizations, and those individuals that dedicate their time and resources to support STEM careers and education in the community. PEB honored the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (the MOST) as the Community Partnership of the Year. It also acknowledged Belden Inc., Byrne Dairy, City of Syracuse, and Giovanni Food Company with the Business Partnership of the Year recognition. In addition, PEB honored Matthew Eaton, senior business consultant with JPMorgan Chase, as the 2024 SRC STEM Champion of the Year. It also recognized Steve Schill, senior director of global sales projects at INFICON, with its Lifetime Achievement honor.