By Lara Copeland, assistant editor
The American Mold Builder
In the community of Gates, New York, just west of Rochester, sits ROMOLD, Inc., in an 11,500-square-foot facility. Near Route 490 and New York State Thruway, the precision manufacturer’s services include parts and tool consulting, plastic injection mold design, plastic injection mold engineering, plastic injection mold manufacturing and diecast mold manufacturing. Working with customers in the US and beyond, ROMOLD serves a variety of industries, including optical, office and imaging equipment, medical devices, aeronautical, automotive, packaging, sporting goods, US Department of Defense and consumer products.
Committed to continuously improving, ROMOLD works diligently to recruit a talented workforce, despite the skills gap in manufacturing that plagues the industry. The company’s long-focused efforts in education have served it well, leading ROMOLD to future employees who are skilled and dedicated to achieving the best results in design, programming, measuring, machining and maintenance.
Recognizing the shortage of skilled labor in the industry, the company maintains a relationship with local high school districts to arrange tours for students who may one day be looking for a career in manufacturing. Furthermore, the company sponsors students in robotics programs and apprentice contests, while also pursuing adult students looking for a career change.
Apprenticeship program partners with New York Department of Labor
ROMOLD has maintained its talented workforce by joining forces with New York State (NYS) Department of Labor. The company began its moldmaker apprentice program with NYS Department of Labor just five months after opening its doors in 1997. This program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours of related instruction at an NYS-approved and accredited school.
“On average, this program takes four years to complete,” said Cheryl Kuhn, administrative assistant at ROMOLD.
ROMOLD’s first female moldmaker apprentice, Niayah Blair, was hired in May 2017, shortly after she graduated from Monroe Community College (MCC) with an associate degree in precision machining. She has been in the apprentice program more than a year and said she is proud of the work she has accomplished as an apprentice moldmaker with ROMOLD. She hopes to show other women that achieving a career in manufacturing is possible.
Additionally, ROMOLD recently welcomed a second female moldmaker apprentice into its program, setting the total number of apprentices currently enrolled at three. When employees complete the stringent requirements, they receive their Moldmaker Journeyman Certification.
Taking advantage of local grant programs
Kuhn said ROMOLD also tries to take full advantage of many grant programs offered. “The Monroe Manufactures Jobs (MMJ) grant program connects graduates of local institutions, like MCC, with local manufacturing companies, such as ROMOLD.
To be considered for the grant, an employer and employee must meet specific requirements. First, the employer must be a manufacturer residing in Monroe County, New York. The employee must be a graduate of MCC with an associate or certificate in precision machining or certificate in optics and be employed in his or her first job for at least one year post-graduation. Through Monroe County, the MMJ grant awards $1,500 to both employer and employee.
The MMJ grant program’s success lies in the fact that it requires all participants to take responsibility in fulfilling their individual role. The apprentice works and meets academic requirements while the sponsoring company provides training and mentorship, and the school provides curriculum – in addition to the county providing the bonus upon completion.
Recently, Blair was awarded the MMJ grant. “We are proud of her for meeting these requirements and becoming the first female moldmaker apprentice to achieve this honor,” Kuhn exclaimed. In addition to the acknowledgement from Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo at the check presentation ceremony, Blair also received recognition in her nearby hometown of Greece, New York, for her accomplishment. The first recipient of the MMJ grant in 2009 also was a ROMOLD employee.
ROMOLD tries to take advantage of other grant opportunities, too, to further encourage employees to enter the moldmaking field.
“We participate in the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI),” Kuhn said. AAI provides apprentices with funds toward tools and tuition assistance.
“We also are in the process of applying for the Apprentice Expansion Grant through NYS Department of Labor,” which offers employers with a registered NYS apprentice program reimbursement for on-the-job training of apprentices, she explained, “and the NYS DOL Empire State Apprenticeship Tax Credit for companies with a registered NYS apprentice program.”
Lou Romano, owner and president of ROMOLD, believes the future of manufacturing lies in the education and mentoring of the younger population. “He strives to provide an innovative workplace with state-of-the-art technology,” Kuhn shared. Romano said that, while it may be difficult to find potential moldmakers, the majority of ROMOLD’s apprentices come from job fairs at Monroe Community College Applied Technology Center.
“Since its inception, ROMOLD has been a huge advocate of Monroe Community College Applied Technology Center, which, in turn, helped form its relationship with workforce development,” Kuhn explained.
To further facilitate filling the skills gap in manufacturing, Romano is on the board for the Rochester Technology & Manufacture Association (RTMA), Monroe Community College Advisory Board (MCC’s ATC) and participates in MCC’s Industry Roundtables to help secure grants focusing on apprenticeship opportunities within Rochester.
