ROC With Your Hands

Rochester, NY – Another year, another record crowd at the 5th annual ROC With Your Hands career exploration event. Students and educators from more than 55 schools across the city of Rochester, Monroe County and Finger Lakes region attended the event at the Rochester Community Sports Complex today to learn about in-

demand careers that do not require a college education. ROC With Your Hands is the region’s largest single day career exploration event.

The Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association (RTMA) created ROC With Your Hands in 2022 in partnership with the city of Rochester and Monroe County, UNiCON Rochester and the Builders Exchange of Rochester. Monroe Community College and RochesterWorks also serve on the event’s steering committee.

More than 70 employers showcased careers, offered hands-on demonstrations and provided information to students and educators in attendance. Youth in grades seven through 12 learned how jobs in advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, heavy equipment and more can lead to paid training, apprenticeship opportunities, great wages and benefits, and room for advancement.

“I am thrilled to celebrate five years of ROC With Your Hands with our community’s schools, students and educators,” said Richard T. Turner, Executive Director of the RTMA. “We are connecting the next generation of workforce to industries that are essential to our local economy. ROC With Your Hands is not just a field trip – it is the start of a clear pathway to a great career in emerging fields like advanced manufacturing, skilled trades heavy equipment and more!”

The city of Rochester and its Department of Recreation and Human Services have generously hosted ROC With Your Hands at the Rochester Community Sports Complex since its inception. Mayor Malik Evans and his administration are committed to workforce development training and entrepreneurial services.

“ROC With Your Hands is a one-stop-shopping experience for Rochester’s young people to test-drive their many choices in such careers as advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, auto-mechanics and heavy machinery,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “This is an amazing opportunity to explore good paying, rewarding jobs that are also critical to the long-term success of the Rochester economy. I am grateful to the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association and the many partners who organized this event for once again putting together a fantastic program to help our region’s young people find their own best pathways to success in the workforce of tomorrow.”

Monroe County and its Industrial Development Corporation and Planning & Development Department are also one of the first supporters of ROC With Your Hands. The county coordinates and provides a broad range of job retention and creation programs, and employment and training services. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello remains committed to making the region economically prosperous by ensuring a high quality of life.

"Monroe County’s economy continues to grow through expanding opportunities in advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, and the skilled trades. ROC With Your Hands provides students with direct, hands-on experiences while inspiring them to pursue high-demand careers that shape our region's future," said County Executive Adam Bello. "By connecting young people with stable, well-paying paths to tomorrow’s workforce needs, we are building a stronger and more vibrant community together. Thank you to the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association and our dedicated partners for bringing this vital event to life."

The RTMA also partners with MCC on educational programs for advanced manufacturing professionals; including registered apprentices and pre-apprentices through the Real Life Rosies © and Advance 2 Apprenticeship © training programs. The Association and MCC also partner on the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program which has connected more than 1,200 students to over 125 local companies for paid co-ops, job shadows and facility tours. MCC’s Economic and Workforce Development Center and Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center are also day-one supporters of ROC With Your Hands.

“ROC With Your Hands is a powerful example of how partnerships can connect students to real-world career opportunities,” said Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, President of Monroe Community College. “Working alongside the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association, we are giving students direct exposure to high-demand industries and helping them better understand the many pathways available to them. These experiences inspire curiosity, build skills, and show students that rewarding careers and bright futures are within reach.”

Partnerships with RochesterWorks, UNiCON Rochester and the Builders Exchange of Rochester have also been critical to the success of ROC With Your Hands. As the community’s Workforce Development Board and American Job Center, RochesterWorks also provides training and employment services for job seekers and incumbent workers. The Builders Exchange and UNiCON also assist with the coordination of ROC With Your Hands and provide various services and skilled trades programs to local construction and union trades while advocating for our community’s economy and workforce.

ROC With Your Hands provided free merchandise, snacks and lunch to those in attendance. Thanks to the generosity of the event’s partners and sponsors, the event is free for students, educators, businesses and others in attendance. To date, more than 6,500 students and educators have learned about high demand careers at ROC With Your Hands. For more information on the RTMA and its workforce development programs, you can visit - https://www.rtma.org/workforce-development - or email info@rtma.org – or call – 585-510-6557.