State government officials across the country have been passing legislation to boost manufacturing workforce programs in an effort to fill the hiring gaps in the industry. Below are the latest steps state and local leaders are taking to train a new generation of workers.
New York
State, local and school officials celebrated the grand opening of a $69.6 million advanced technology center on Monroe Community College’s main campus in Brighton, New York, on Sept. 14.
Dubbed the Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center, the facility bears the name of flat optical component manufacturer Sydor Optics after it invested $3 million in MCC’s optical systems technology program in 2025.
The 100,000-square-foot center will house various workforce development programs in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor industries, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s press release. Training programs include optical technology, automotive technology, precision machining, HVAC and renewable energy, Allen Williams, MCC’s board of trustees chair, said during the opening ceremony.
“The demand is clear,” Williams said. “In the past year alone, the incoming students in the optical technology system program has grown by 58%. HVAC has increased by nearly 57%, and precision machining has risen by nearly 36%. None of this growth happens by accident or by chance. It is intentional.”
The facility opening comes a month after Sydor announced a more than $32 million investment in a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at nearby Rochester, New York, which is expected to be operational in fall 2027.
New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College has committed to develop an advanced manufacturing and workforce training campus on a 37-acre site near Sandia National Laboratories’ science and technology park as part of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Collaborative, according to Sept. 14 press release.
The community college is in the process of buying land from Albuquerque Public Schools, which is also involved in the CAMINO Collaborative. The new campus aims to encourage collaboration between students, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders in workforce training and business development, per a press release.
CNM will work with Sandia researchers, workers and industry partners to develop and adapt programs focused on preparing technician students for fields involving advanced manufacturing. The programs also aim to align with New Mexico’s economic development goals in various industries including advanced energy, quantum technologies, aerospace and national security.
Ohio
Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence was awarded an 18-month contract from the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation to establish a machining workforce development and upskilling program, according to the school’s Sept. 15 press release.
The contract will expand IACMI’s computer numerical control machine training program, America’s Cutting Edge. Students will first complete ACE online coursework that covers foundational machining topics such as tool selection, machining dynamics and computer-aided manufacturing programming, according to the press release.
Students will then combine the online instruction by attending OSU’s CDME four-day, hands-on boot camps in CNC machining, covering CAM, machining parameter selection, tooling setup, work holding, probing and CNC controller use. Students will also work with CDME engineers and gain experience using the industrial CNC machines, tooling and measuring equipment.
In June, IACMI announced it was expanding its ACE and Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeships and Learning programs. METAL focuses on metallurgy casting and forging training.
The two workforce development programs were funded through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Industrial Base Policy. IACMI’s ACE plans include implementing an internship program offering six- to eight-week placements connecting students with hands-on experience and industry career paths.
Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced on Sept. 14 that five community colleges will receive $20 million in grants to establish five manufacturing training academies across the state.
The training academies aim to prepare Illinois residents for careers in advanced manufacturing as well as assist companies in finding skilled workers, according to the press release.
The five schools are:
- Illinois Central College
- Kaskaskia College
- Lake Land College
- Lewis and Clark Community College
- Parkland College
