RTMA, BOCES celebrate first graduates of Real Life Rosies manufacturing program

Graduates and staff of the first cohort of the Real Life Rosies © Pre-Apprenticeship Program

SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Fourteen women have completed the first-ever cohort of the Real Life Rosies pre-apprenticeship program in the Rochester region, marking a milestone in efforts to expand women’s access to careers in advanced manufacturing.

The six-week program, a partnership between the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association and the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Center for Workforce Development, concluded this week with a graduation ceremony celebrating participants who completed 72 hours of training and earned industry-recognized credentials.

The graduates earned the Certified Manufacturing Associate credential through Tooling U-SME, along with OSHA-10 safety certification and the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate. Participants also took part in hands-on manufacturing training, toured advanced manufacturing facilities in the greater Rochester area, and received guaranteed job interviews with local employers, program leaders said.

“Watching adult students take their first steps into manufacturing careers has been a point of pride for CWD staff members,” said Shawna Gareau-Kurtz, director of the BOCES 2 Center for Workforce Development. She said the program offers women a pathway into the manufacturing workforce, apprenticeships, or further education.

Real Life Rosies is described as New York’s first direct-entry manufacturing training program specifically designed for women. The initiative aims to address workforce shortages in advanced manufacturing while reducing barriers to entry for women, particularly those who may not have previously considered careers in the industry.

In addition to technical instruction, the program provides employability skills training and wraparound supports, including assistance with childcare, transportation, equipment, and work clothing. Participants are also eligible for incentive stipends during the program.

“The RTMA is proud to partner with the BOCES 2 Center for Workforce Development to bring Real Life Rosies to the greater Rochester region,” said Rich Turner, RTMA’s director of workforce development. “By providing classroom and hands-on training, behind-the-scenes facility tours, job interviews with local advanced manufacturing companies, and job readiness skills, we are preparing these ‘Rosies’ with everything they need to have a long, successful career in one of the region’s largest industries.”

The program was originally launched in Central New York and expanded to the Rochester region through RTMA in 2025. Organizers said additional cohorts are planned for 2026 as demand for skilled manufacturing workers continues to grow across the region.

Real Life Rosies is supported by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Empire State Development, the ESL Charitable Foundation, and RochesterWorks.

More information about the program is available through RTMA or by calling 585-510-6557