The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program (FLYAP) is a unique program designed exclusively for students interested in advanced manufacturing. Partnering with area BOCES and Career & Technical Education high schools of the Rochester and Finger Lakesregion, FLYAP connects students with local companies that align with the student’s interests. This Spring, Accede Mold & Tool participated in FLYAP’s “Signing Day,” – a celebrated day when companies are matched with students interested in their manufacturing specialties. These students then participate in job shadowing at their matched business to learn more about their field of interest. ACCEDE was privileged to have three high school students from the FLYAP Job Shadow Program join us for a day.
Shadowing at ACCEDE was a learning opportunity to understand the role requirements and the job tasks within the plastic injection moldmaking industry. It allowed for a broader understanding of our specialty departments, such as Engineering, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining, and Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). The ACCEDE staff shared their knowledge and demonstrated valuable skills acquired through their formal education and experiential learning in the industry. This interaction allowed for a highly effective learning atmosphere where students could ask questions and gain real-time answers outside the classroom.
ACCEDE’s employees took pride in leading the job-shadowing – the one-on-one, extending their knowledge and displaying their passion for moldmaking. It was clear that the students did as well. In a follow-up email, one student shared, “I just want to let you know I really enjoyed the job shadow at your company. In the future, I hope you keep me in mind for future opportunities.”
Federal data shows, “Trade school students are more likely to be employed after school than their high-spending university counterparts — and much more likely to work in their fields of study, too.” As of Spring 2022 (versus Spring 2021), ‘Precision and Production’ vocation enrollment is up 16.7%. Angie Steingass, ACCEDE Marketing Manager, explained, “Introducing the future workforce to the endless possibilities in advanced manufacturing was a success. We at ACCEDE are happy that we were able to display what a satisfying job working in the plastic injection molding industry can be.”
ACCEDE looks forward to more collaborations with FLYAP’s Job Shadow Program. To learn how your company, school, or students can get involved visit: https://fingerlakesyouthapprenticeship.org/