Will support expansion of apprenticeship and youth career exploration opportunities DeWITT — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, recently hired a pair of workforce-development specialists to further advance its mission to expand early career exploration and strengthen workforce pipelines across the state through the development of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programming. Mohamed Thiam has joined Partners for Education […]
Will support expansion of apprenticeship and youth career exploration opportunities
DeWITT — MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, recently hired a pair of workforce-development specialists to further advance its mission to expand early career exploration and strengthen workforce pipelines across the state through the development of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programming.
Mohamed Thiam has joined Partners for Education & Business, Inc. (PEB), a MACNY affiliate, where he will lead youth-focused workforce initiatives in the Syracuse City School District, including the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs, Public Service Leadership Academy at Fowler and ITC, the K-8 Smart Start Program, and the Career, Technology & Education Fair. His work will focus on building school-to-career pathways by connecting students with employers, coordinating hands-on experiences, and aligning programming with industry needs, MACNY said in a late July announcement. Thiam brings nearly a decade of experience in workforce and economic development, community organizing, and advocacy for underrepresented communities. Before joining PEB, he served as a job coach at InterFaith Works of CNY, where he helped immigrants and refugees navigate employment barriers, built partnerships with employers, and supported career advancement. He’s also a former graduate teaching assistant with a master’s degree in Pan-African Studies from Syracuse University.
Christa Matolka has come aboard MACNY’s talent development team to support the Real Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship pre-apprenticeship programs, which prepare participants for careers in advanced manufacturing and other high-demand fields. She will collaborate with employers, educators, and community partners to recruit participants, support program delivery, and help participants successfully transition into registered apprenticeship programs and careers, MACNY notes. Matolka brings more than a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, with a proven track record in highly process-driven environments. She has held key roles at companies such as LOTTE Biologics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Ecovative Design, where she specialized in quality compliance, equipment validation, training development, and project execution. Her ability to manage complex systems, adhere to strict regulatory standards, and deliver effective team training positions her well to support pre-apprenticeship participants as they prepare for success in technical careers, the association contends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University at Albany.
MACNY contends that Thiam and Matolka bring a combination of experience and industry insight that will elevate the association’s statewide efforts to develop a skilled, inclusive, and future-ready workforce through career exploration and apprenticeship opportunities.
MACNY, based at 5788 Widewaters Parkway in the town of DeWitt, is a 112-year-old nonprofit organization representing manufacturers throughout Central and Upstate New York.
