UTICA — Mohawk Valley Community College is joining a partnership to provide free training to transitioning service members, National Guard, Army Reserves and their families for careers in advanced manufacturing through Operation Next.

A partnership with the Detroit-based LIFT, a Department of Defense-supported national manufacturing innovation institute, and MACNY, the manufacturers association, Operation Next provides an accelerated-hybrid program that combines online education with hands-on training. Upon completion, participants will be prepared to earn credentials from the National Institute of Metalworking Skills, American Welding Society and Smart Automation Certification Alliance.

MVCC provides accessible, high-quality educational opportunities to meet the diverse needs of their students, focused on their success through partnerships, transfer and career pathways, and personal enrichment. As the semiconductor manufacturing industry continues to grow in the Central New York and Mohawk Valley region, there is a great need for transitioning soldiers to move into careers in advanced manufacturing. 

“At Mohawk Valley Community College, we are committed to transforming lives through learning,” MVCC President Randy VanWagoner said. “For this reason, we are thrilled to collaborate with MACNY and LIFT to implement Operation Next, which provides a coherent pathway for military personnel to enter into rewarding careers in manufacturing. We are confident that the regional labor force will benefit from an influx of highly skilled and dedicated professionals as a result.”

Operation Next is the first program of its kind in New York State, providing soldiers transitioning out of the military and military spouses with a proven training program that prepares them with the knowledge and skills to obtain an industry-recognized certification in advanced manufacturing.

Available in a number of locations nationally, Operation Next provides certification opportunities in the following career tracks: Computer Numeric Control, Industrial Maintenance, Welding and Robotics. Operation Next gives greater access to soldiers to train and join the field of advanced manufacturing.

Members of the New York National Guard and Reserves looking to enroll in the program can contact Patrick Langan, Operation Next program manager, at plangan@macny.org or visit www.macny.org/operation-next for more information.