Strategic Partnerships

Dream It, Do It

Launched in 2009 to inspire the next generation of our regional workforce, Dream It Do It is designed to spark interest in middle and high school students in pursuing meaningful careers in STEM-related manufacturing. 

DIDI is an initiative MAST. DIDI is designed as a pipeline development initiative to develop our future engineers, manufacturing technicians, and producers of goods and demonstrate the reality of today’s manufacturing world and how they can become part of it. Dream It Do It engages students through various educational programs, after school clubs, and events such as:

• Girls in Manufacturing Day
• DIDI 500 
  
• STEM Wars
• DREAM IT, DO IT after school STEM clubs

Dream It, Do It also gives students opportunities to visit area manufacturers. During the trips, students are exposed to exactly what modern-day manufacturing is — a creative, yet highly technical career requiring a broad skill set and ingenuity. 

In its work with young people, Dream It, Do It hopes to increase the pipeline of candidates who will fill open positions in the advanced manufacturing sector. 

Contact us to learn more about our partnership with DIDI.

Buffalo Niagara Manufacturers Alliance

The Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance (BNMA) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) association representing over 180 businesses and organizations across Western New York. The BNMA is a catalyst of innovation, a champion for education, and a builder of partnerships that keep manufacturing in Western New York moving forward. BNMA members supply the region, state, nation and world with amazing products and services. The BNMA’s members represent over 20,000 workers in our region.

JCC Workforce Readiness

Serving two counties — Chautauqua and Cattaraugus — in the Southern Tier, Jamestown Community College’s Workforce Readiness Program prepares both traditional and non-traditional students for the workforce through various course modules and training programs. Courses and certification programs include those in: 

• Advanced manufacturing
• Safety training
• Professional development
• Technology

Participants take credit and non-credit courses offered throughout the year at the college’s centers in Jamestown, Olean, Dunkirk, or onsite at their location. 

Contact us to learn more about our partnership with the JCC Workforce Readiness program.

Alfred State College of Technology

Alfred State offers 80 majors in the arts, applied technology, architecture and management and engineering technology. Teaching staff are in a 17:1 ratio to students, and are generally well-educated in their field, while maintaining ties to their profession.

The college is divided into the following schools:

• The School of Arts & Sciences
• The School of Applied Technology (located at the Wellsville campus)
• The School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology

Insyte Consulting 

Insyte Consulting works closely with manufacturers throughout Western New York to help them find solutions toward innovation, growth, and profitability. Insyte’s team is able to help companies identify issues and develop custom-tailored solutions for improved operations and success. The not-for-profit boasts more than 30 years of working with manufacturing companies across major sectors, life science and medical to industrial and consumer products. 

Since 2000, Insyte’s work has had an economic impact of more than $3 billion on the region.

Contact us to learn more about our Insyte Consulting.

P-Tech (Pathways in Technology) Program

A New York state program, P-Tech prepares high school students for careers in the technology, manufacturing, healthcare and finance sectors. The program is rooted in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) disciplines and offers participants immersion opportunities at area manufacturing operations. Students who fully participate in the program receive 2 years of postsecondary career education, culminating in an associate degree. 

Ultimately, P-Tech aims to have the next generation of the manufacturing sector’s workforce prepared to meet the industry’s job demands.

Buffalo Manufacturing Works

Founded as part of the Buffalo Billion Investment and Development Plan, Buffalo Manufacturing Works (BMW) primarily serves the Buffalo-Niagara manufacturing community. The organization represents a collaboration between industry leaders, academic and research institutions, and government officials. 

Through engaging with manufacturing operations across Western New York, BMW assists companies in:

• Developing and using new technology
• Employing best practices for better productivity
• Seeking out new ways to grow.

Manufacturers Association of Central New York

Representing more than 300 manufacturing businesses, the Manufacturers Alliance of NYS advocates for companies located in Central and upstate New York through various government relations programs. The alliance also assists manufacturers with: 

• Obtaining workforce development grants
• Leadership development initiatives
• Human resources consulting and services
• Networking opportunities

National Association of Manufacturers 

Founded in 1895 as a means to create what would become the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) focuses on improving the landscape of manufacturing at a national level. NAM promotes the country’s manufacturing sector through advocacy efforts with federal officials. The organization also conducts research on modern manufacturing and works to implement new approaches to growing the county’s manufacturing talent pool.

Manufacturers Alliance of New York 

The Manufacturers Alliance of New York State, Inc. (The Alliance) is a statewide organization of manufacturing associations working together on behalf of manufacturing success in New York State. Our combined efforts allow us to create a strong voice for the statewide manufacturing community. Together we advocate for better business policies in both Albany and Washington that will enable our critical sector to thrive and grow.

The Alliance has representatives statewide and continues to grow annually. Collectively we represent over 5,400 manufacturers and businesses and over 181,300 manufacturing jobs.

Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce

As one of the largest business associations in Western New York, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce works with chambers in 6 communities and a variety of business service organizations to serve its members. The chamber provides a suite of services to its members — from advocacy to opportunities for business development — to strengthen Chautauqua County’s business community. 

Contact us to learn more about our partnership with the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce.

Chautauqua County Education Coalition

Keeping pace with changes seen in the requirements for those working in manufacturing, MAST works alongside the Chautauqua County Education Coalition (CCEC). The group represents a public-private partnership comprising 125 stakeholders representing 70 organizations. 

The coalition serves as a catalyst for collaboration with the education system in Chautauqua County to align resources and meet the needs of evolving workforce requirements in manufacturing. In addition, CCEC focuses its efforts on economic development initiatives throughout Chautauqua County, as well as nurture partnerships among key stakeholders.  

Contact us to learn more about our partnership with CCEC.