The Monroe Community College Foundation hopes to bridge the skills gap and strengthen workforce development for those seeking occupations in skilled trades through a newly awarded $1.5 million grant.

In the Finger Lakes region, the advanced manufacturing section has more than 2,000 job openings annually, with 1,800 of them left unfilled. The foundation said it’s the result of a shortage of qualified workers.

“People are retiring out of these industries,” said Jill Slavny, WEMOCO’s executive principal. “For a while there they kind of lost a little respect if you will, so it’s great to see more and more people paying attention to the need for advanced manufacturing, the skill trades, HVAC, electricians, plumbing. So we’re trying to get the younger generation interested in these professions.”

The grant awarded to MCC by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation benefits students seeking careers in technical education programs such as manufacturing, robotics and other skilled trades. The goal is to reverse the skills shortage in this field of work and give young adults more opportunities.

Through some of MCC’s partners like BOCES, more than 230 high school students are expected to benefit through the program to begin working on their craft and racking up their college credits.

“Through my first year here they’ve helped me advance my machining capabilities, work through every trouble that I’ve had and allow me to go out into the workforce and train underneath somebody who came out of this program,” said Daniel Preston, a student at Churchville Chili High School.

Another benefit to the program is that it will also help local businesses when students graduate and seek work.