RTMA and BOCES 2 CWD Celebrate First-Ever Graduation for Real Life Rosies © Program

Spencerport – The Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) and Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Center for Workforce Development (CWD) today celebrated its first-ever graduation for the Real Life Rosies © Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Fourteen participants completed the six-week, 72-hour training program which included the Certified Manufacturing Associate (CMfgA) credential through Tooling U-SME.

Real Life Rosies Rochester Class of 2025

“BOCES 2 CWD is thrilled to have collaborated with RTMA and hosted the partnership’s first Real Life Rosies © cohort,” said BOCES 2 CWD Director Shawna Gareau-Kurtz. “Watching adult students take their first steps into manufacturing careers has been a point of pride for CWD staff members. Whether these skilled females apply their talents in the workforce, while pursuing an apprenticeship or toward additional education, CWD is grateful to have been their first step into the advanced manufacturing industry.”

Real Life Rosies © support the training and skill development of women looking to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing through free pre-apprenticeship training. The program is New York’s first direct-entry program for women in manufacturing and offers employability skill development, hands-on training, and guaranteed job interviews with local companies. Participants also earned the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate Credential, OSHA-10 and toured several advanced manufacturing companies in the greater Rochester region.

“The RTMA is proud to partner with the BOCES 2 Center for Workforce Development to bring Real Life Rosies © to the greater Rochester region,” added Rich Turner, RTMA 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.”

Real Life Rosies © also assists with childcare, transportation, equipment and clothing, and also offers incentive stipends to participants. The program was first introduced in central New York and expanded through the RTMA in 2025. Additional cohorts are being planned for 2026. For more information on Real Life Rosies, you can visit https://www.rtma.org/real-life-rosies or contact the RTMA at 585-510-6557 or info@rtma.org. Real Life Rosies © is supported by the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Empire State Development, the ESL Charitable Foundation, and RochesterWorks.