RTMA, RMAPI Hold Panel On Career Opportunities for Young Black Men

Panelist include (left to right) Tyrone Reaves, Owner of Tru Form Manufacturing and YAMTEP, Jahaire Nelson and Jamiere Gibson of Applied Image (both are East HS Class of 2021) and moderator Chris Rush of RMAPI

In honor of Black History Month, the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) partnered with the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI) to host a panel discussion on advanced manufacturing career opportunities, training programs and apprenticeships. The event, which was held on Thursday, February 15 at East High School in Rochester, is a part of the RTMA’s and RMAPI’s mission to introduce more young men of color to opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Christopher Rush of RMAPI moderated the panel, which featured black business owners, New York State registered apprentices and professionals in advanced manufacturing. More than 50 young men from East High School attended the event to learn more about future opportunities.

“It’s an honor to be able to be able to moderate this panel of Black business Owners in Rochester in front of the future leaders of this community,” said Rush, RMAPI Collective Impact Manager.  “It’s important that students in the Rochester City School District know they can find success in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, an area where people of color are underrepresented. I am grateful for RTMA, East High School, and the Black business owners for investing in our youth with this event.”

East High School is one of several schools in the RCSD which partners with the RTMA on its youth-oriented programs. Each year, dozens of East juniors and seniors participate in the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program and dozens more attend the annual ROC With Your Hands career exploration event.

The RTMA promotes manufacturing innovation in the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region by partnering with industry, academia and government. The association’s focus on workforce development and apprenticeship programs regularly reaches out to diverse populations. RMAPI is a multi-sector community collaborative with a goal to improve quality of life by reducing poverty and increasing self-sufficiency.