The One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) program is a $200 million investment to help fund and realize a network of four new workforce development centers in strategic, high impact locations in Upstate New York, including a flagship facility in Syracuse.

The primary goal of ON-RAMP is to connect diverse and skilled New Yorkers with careers in dynamic, high-growth advanced manufacturing industries. ON-RAMP centers will provide critical academic supports proven to increase success in high-skilled training programs. Employers will be able to leverage ON-RAMP centers to develop training programs and find talent to fit their needs.

With the creation of the ON-RAMP program in the FY2025 Budget, Governor Hochul is building on her commitment to preparing New Yorkers for the jobs of tomorrow.

Upstate New York is leading the nation in new semiconductor industry investment and is rapidly emerging as a global hub for advanced manufacturing. There is a growing demand for skilled workers to sustain that growth and ON-RAMP will help meet that demand while providing high quality, accessible training opportunities for priority populations. 

From the continued growth of GlobalFoundries and Wolfspeed, to the planned $100 billion investment from Micron in Central New York, to Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo’s recent designation as a federal Tech Hub, it’s clear that advanced manufacturing is booming in Upstate New York. Micron’s investment alone is expected to create upwards of 50,000 new jobs across the state. However, at a time of increasingly tight demand for talent, some communities are significantly underrepresented in these high-growth industries, creating an opportunity to better serve the needs of both employers and communities. ON-RAMP centers will empower New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds with the skills needed to enter careers in Upstate’s rapidly growing advanced manufacturing ecosystem. 

ON-RAMP will establish four new workforce development centers, including three chosen competitively, and a flagship location in Central New York. For the three competitively selected centers, ON-RAMP grant funding will cover: 1) a planning grant for development of a business plan for a regional ON-RAMP center; 2) a portion of operational expenses related to curriculum development and provision of trainee support services; and 3) a portion of capital needs for renovations, expansions, and/or construction costs related to the delivery of advanced manufacturing training.

Goals of the Program

ON-RAMP will establish four dynamic, consortium-based advanced manufacturing workforce training centers in targeted Upstate regions. In addition to a flagship location in Syracuse, three centers will be competitively awarded from eligible regions, with a maximum of one center per region.

ON-RAMP centers are expected to be established as fully sustainable entities that do not require ongoing ESD support within five years of award of implementation funding.

Core Principles

Commitment to Access and Equity

• Develop accessible and equitable pathways for priority populations to access training and education that lead to good jobs in advanced manufacturing. 
• Establish a clearly articulated plan that demonstrates how access and equity will be addressed and continually evaluated for effectiveness in serving priority populations. 

Development of Active Industry Partnerships

• Demonstrate industry engagement in such areas as curriculum development, training support, mentoring, career exploration, business tours, commitments to interview graduates for open positions, and active participation in ongoing programming. 
• Ensure that training offerings are developed with industry and are reflective of industry projections for advanced manufacturing job growth within the region.
• Build ongoing mechanisms for updating training based on changing industry needs.

Creation of Effective Workforce Pipelines

• Create career pathways for entry-level and mid-skill workers to access long-term sustainable employment in advanced manufacturing.
• Develop or enhance training programs for in-demand skills featuring direct job placement with industry partners. 
• Increase the capacity of workforce training providers with a track record of results-oriented workforce training and fostering opportunities for priority populations.
• Provide job seekers with a variety of options for training and education from several providers within the center and ensuring alignment between participant interest, industry demand, and training offerings.   

Wraparound Supports for Program Participants

• Utilize innovative approaches, services and programs that increase success in skills training by reducing barriers to participation and achievement, such as lack of access to transportation or childcare.
• Partner with local nonprofit and community-based organizations that assist individuals from priority populations for case management services and recruitment, with the goal of bringing new people into the labor force.
• Provide stipends to participants while they undergo short-term, non-degree bearing training in an “earn while you learn” model.

Data-Driven Performance Management

• Collect, track, and regularly report specific outcome data to evaluate achievement of program goals.
• Use data-driven decision-making to improve the overall program and approach, with multiple check-in points to assess and solve challenges and implement process improvement.

Eligibility & Funding Awards

In addition to a flagship location in Syracuse, three ON-RAMP centers will be competitively awarded from the following eligible regions, with a maximum of one center per region, with regional borders aligning to ESD’s definition:

• Capital Region
• Finger Lakes
• Mid-Hudson
• Mohawk Valley
• North Country
• Southern Tier

Applications should represent a consortium of training providers, support service providers, and industry partners who will be involved in the development and operation of the ON-RAMP center, represented by a single primary applicant organization that will lead the development and execution of the project. 

Entities eligible to apply as the primary lead include:

• Not-for-profit organizations
• Workforce development boards
• Chambers of commerce and trade associations
• Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
• Municipalities
• Public two-year community colleges
• Other career and technical education providers.   

Refer to the full program guidelines for additional details on program eligibility.

Awards

The three competitively awarded ON-RAMP centers will be eligible for both planning and implementation funding awards.

Awarded centers will initially be eligible for up to $300,000 in planning funds to develop a full detailed roadmap for implementation of the center in their region. Applicants must provide a 10% match, which may include in-kind contributions. 

Upon completion of a full detailed business plan during the planning phase, ESD will award the three centers implementation funding of up to $40 million (up to $20 million for capital and $20 million for operating expenses). Applicants will need to demonstrate a 20% match for both capital and operating funding requests in the implementation phase.

Refer to the full program guidelines for more details on eligible uses of funds and use restrictions.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the extent to which they fulfill the goals of the program and meet the following criteria:

• Project concept and readiness
• Project partnerships and innovation
• Program impact
• Support services for trainees
• Experience, qualifications, and capacity

At a minimum, the lead organization must demonstrate that the consortium they represent comprises member organizations that can deliver the core functions of the ON-RAMP model.

Applications will be reviewed for alignment with priorities established for the ON-RAMP program. Empire State Development reserves the right to issue an addendum to the program guidelines, if required and make project awards in different amounts and under terms other than requested or than included in these Guidelines.

Applicants will be required to complete the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) to apply for the ON-RAMP Program via New York State’s Consolidated Funding Application portal.

In the CFA application, eligible applicants will be asked to:

• Demonstrate an established track record of coalition building related to workforce development programming and trusted relationships within priority populations.
• Demonstrate relevant organizational and financial management experience.
• Produce a draft budget for the planning process and demonstrate the ability to meet the 10% match requirement.
• Articulate how state funds will be maximized.
• Submit a high-level overview of proposed training and services to be offered at the ON-RAMP center.
• Articulate how training will address workforce development in the advanced manufacturing and adjacent industries.
• Articulate proactive approaches to addressing barriers to success in training and educational programs.
• Submit letters of support from expected industry partner companies, partner organizations, and the applicant’s respective Regional Economic Development Council (REDC).

During the review process, ESD may request interviews and/or site visits with applicants.

Applications will be considered until December 2, 2024.

ON-RAMP Information Session Webinar

Thursday, October 10 at 11:00 AM

Empire State Development is hosting a virtual info session on the ON-RAMP program to walk through the guidelines and application process for potential applicants and prospective ON-RAMP consortium members from eligible regions (Capital Region, Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country, and Southern Tier.)

Click here to register

[email protected]