(October 8, 2025) Students from the Rochester City School District joined nearly 1,500 peers from across the region at the 4th annual ROC With Your Hands career exploration event on Tuesday, October 7, at the Rochester Community Sports Complex. The event, organized by the Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association (RTMA) in partnership with the City of Rochester and Monroe County, is the largest of its kind in the region, introducing students to high-demand career paths and local workforce opportunities.
More than 75 employers offered hands-on demonstrations in advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, automotive technology, and heavy equipment. Students in grades seven through twelve explored training programs, engaged directly with industry professionals, and gained a deeper understanding of the career options available in their own community.
“ROC With Your Hands is about more than career exploration; it is about preparing our students for meaningful futures,” said Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser. “When our students grow into skilled professionals and stay here in our community, they strengthen the local workforce and contribute directly to Rochester’s economic vitality.”
The event, provided at no cost to schools or students, reflects a strong collaboration between education, government, and industry. Partners such as the RTMA, the City of Rochester, and Monroe County continue to play a vital role in promoting career readiness and connecting young people to the growing number of opportunities across the region’s skilled trades sector.
By participating in ROC With Your Hands, RCSD students are not only exploring their potential career paths but also seeing how their future success is linked to the strength and innovation of their hometown.
