Sports Power Infrastructure and IWA Celebrate National Manufacturing Month with New York Energy and Manufacturing Initiative in Harlem and Staten Island, NYC

Help shape New York’s energy and manufacturing future | take the Athletes Make The Best Workforce + Suppliers Survey now and make your voice count.

Sports Power Infrastructure and the Institute for Workforce Advancement (IWA) are celebrating National Manufacturing Month with events in Harlem and Staten Island, connecting New Yorkers with workforce, supplier and business opportunities across energy, manufacturing and infrastructure.

The initiative is informed by the Athletes Make The Best Workforce + Suppliers Survey for New York’s Energy + Manufacturing Sector, examining workforce interests, industry participation, barriers and opportunities, including how sports experience can translate into careers and business opportunities.

Preliminary Findings

• ‍56% participated for employment opportunities
• 56% identified clean energy as an industry of interest‍
• 83% of respondents are Millennials or Gen Z‍
• Approximately 78% reported participating in organized sports, reinforcing the focus on connecting athletes and former athletes to workforce and business pathways
• 22% identified career training or certifications as the support that would have the greatest impact‍
• 22% identified job placement assistance as their greatest support need, highlighting another barrier between interest and opportunity

“These findings reinforce the importance of connecting industry investment directly to people, businesses and communities,” said Tenicka Chaney, Managing Director of DomesticContent.com. “National Manufacturing Month gives us an opportunity to turn interest into action through training, employment, supplier opportunities and business growth.”

“Athletes bring discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership skills that can translate directly into the workforce and entrepreneurship,” said Renita Certain, Co-Founder of The SPIN Foundation. “Our focus is making sure athletes and community members can see these opportunities, understand the pathways and have access to the education, training and relationships that can help them move forward.”

Wednesday, October 7 | Harlem, NYC

The celebration begins with the National Manufacturing Month Press Conference on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Bethel Gospel Assembly | Harlem, NYC, in partnership with nonprofit Soaring Grounds. The event will also serve as the closeout of the IWA FutureReady Program.

IWA FutureReady was designed to serve approximately 200 New York City and Long Island residents through 40-hour training experiences covering renewable energy, composite manufacturing, drone applications and job readiness, with connections to internships, apprenticeships and careers.

“FutureReady was built around a simple goal: prepare New Yorkers with practical skills and connect them to industries where employers need talent,” said Phil Rugile, President of the Institute for Workforce Advancement.

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Wednesday, October 28 | Staten Island, NYC

Programming continues with the Sports Power Energy + Manufacturing Social on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Rab’s Country Lanes | Staten Island, NYC, in partnership with the Staten Island Industry Alliance. The event will connect industry, workforce organizations, businesses and communities around education, careers, supplier opportunities and industry relationships.

Take the Survey. Join the Marketplace.

The survey closes October 31, 2026. New York residents, athletes, workers, businesses and industry stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

Take the survey or join the Sports Power Infrastructure Workforce + Supplier Marketplace:
https://www.sportspowerinfrastructure.com/marketplace

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