Press Release

Gillibrand Announces $600K Investment In Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program

Feb 11, 2023

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (M.A.P.P.) in Rochester to announce a $600,000 investment in support of its work. M.A.P.P providescomprehensive job training and a direct path to careers in the building and construction trades, especially for historically disadvantaged populations in Rochester. Specifically, the funding will enable M.A.P.P. to enhance its capacity, broaden its reach, and extend the opportunity to a larger pool of participants, helping the organization continue to support the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council. Senator Gillibrand helped secure this significant investment in the end-of-year spending package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and, along with Senator Schumer, brought home more than $250 million for local projectsacross the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

Gillibrand was joined by Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, Congressman Joe Morelle, Assemblymembers Demond Meeks, Jen Lunsford, Sarah Clark, and Harry Bronson, Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien, Executive Director of M.A.P.P. Kereem Berry, and President of the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council Grant Malone.

“Programs like M.A.P.P. do incredible work to invest in their communities and address disparities for workers in underserved populations,” said Senator Gillibrand. “M.A.P.P. has been so successful at providing workers, particularly workers of color, with the skills and experience they need to get good-paying jobs that it is opening new locations across the state. I’m thrilled to be delivering this $600,000 so that M.A.P.P. can continue to build on its great work for New Yorkers in Rochester and beyond.”

“Apprenticeships are a proven investment in growing our workforce and strengthening our economy, and organizations like MAPP for are critical to providing those opportunities for individuals in our community,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to my friend and colleague Senator Gillibrand for securing this critical funding, which builds on federal investments I delivered last year to allow MAPP to bolster their hands-on training programs. Skilled workers are the backbone of our economy, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside Senator Gillibrand to ensure local organizations like MAPP have the resources they need to thrive in our community for generations to come.”

“These additional dollars will help train even more city residents interested in the abundant opportunities available in the skilled trade and construction industries,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “On behalf of those residents, I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for working hard for us and for her added focus on quality job creation. With building and development projects happening all over the city and more on the way, this funding will help ensure that city residents benefit from our investments so we can build a hope filled city with a prosperous future for everyone.”

“First, and foremost, MAPP would like to thank Senator Gillibrand for her generous contribution in the amount of $600K. This funding will help to change the trajectory of the  socioeconomic  plight amongst the disenfranchised residents of Rochester, New York by providing them with the opportunity for a career within the Union Construction Trades,” said Kereem Berry, Executive Director of MAPP

“Workforce development is one of the four key focus areas of my administration, that’s why our County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) currently invests in MAPP,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “The mission of MAPP is provide jobseekers that have been traditionally been underrepresented in construction and building trades with the skills they can use to develop lifelong careers that provide a path to prosperity. This additional funding secured by Sen. Gillibrand will bolster MAPP’s work, give more people the opportunity to achieve rewarding, good-paying careers and make our community more equitable. I thank Sen. Gillibrand for her commitment to helping MAPP prepare individuals for stable, quality jobs,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello

“The Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program (MAPP) is an effective program that creates real career opportunities and pathways to various building trades and registered apprenticeships. MAPP successfully increases the number of underrepresented and disadvantaged people from our community, men and women of color in particular, into the building and construction trades. I’m so excited to be here today for this announcement and thank Senator Gillibrand for investing in this treasured program. MAPP is creating strong, good paying job opportunities here in Rochester for so many that are too often left behind by traditional programs,” said Assemblywoman Sarah Clark

“The Multi-Craft Apprenticeship Preparation Program is dedicated to enhancing the employability of historically disadvantaged people in the building and construction trades in the Greater Rochester area and across New York State.  Resources for this program are needed to enhance the skill sets of individuals in an effort to close employment and labor gaps. With this $600,000 investment the program will have additional resources to continue advancing learning and employment opportunities in the construction trade,” said Assemblyman Meeks.

“M.A.P.P. is a shining example of how a community-oriented training program can help lift people out of poverty, while filling a critical role in the workforce pipeline to the trades.  M.A.P.P. is an entry point for those historically left out of these kinds of career training opportunities, to find their way into lifelong careers, in well-paid, union positions. Thanks to the work of our federal partners, like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, New York received a historic influx of infrastructure and economic development funding last year. As a result, the Finger Lakes region has more shovel-ready projects than our construction workforce can staff.  Home-grown programs like M.A.P.P., lead by the tireless efforts of Kareem Berry, are an essential partner in helping us achieve our shared goals. This funding announced today will provide an enormous return-on-investment for everyone in the greater Rochester area,said Assemblywomen Lunsford.

Visit the following links to learn more about M.A.P.P. success stories and M.A.P.P.’s programming in Rochester.