NJ Community College Student Speaks About Need for Diversity in Construction
Sewell, NJ, October 12, 2022 – About 50 leaders in the Infrastructure and Energy Industry gathered today for the in-person “NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities: Infrastructure and Energy Meeting” at the Business and Corporate Center at Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) in Sewell, which was organized by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC).
The Infrastructure and Energy event was led by Stephanie Staub, Director, Infrastructure and Energy Sectors Strategy and Workforce Partnerships at NJCCC. It included a presentation by RCSJ about its Construction Programs, an overview of Hudson County Community College’s Construction Management Program, Pathways of the Center of Workforce Innovation for Construction, an industry panel discussion, and a New Jersey Community College student testimonial.
“I wanted to change my career. I was studying biology, but I really wanted construction management. I was working at a construction company, and I loved it! I was told that’s not a career for women, it’s only for a man. I thought you know what, I’m going to change that,” said Erika Aguilar, a current Hudson County Community College student and single mother of two. “I am now studying Construction Management and working as a full-time construction inspector in New York City. I thank my professor for believing in me before I even believed in myself.”
On the panel were Jason Cardenosa, Director, Talent and Employees Services with J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc., Jenn Thoman, Chief Academic Officer with Operating Engineers 825, and Kathyryn Zielinski, Business Support Specialist – Clean Energy Jobs Program with PSE&G, Renewables and Energy Solutions.
“Our NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative is moving full steam ahead and now has more than 1,200 industry and education partners statewide to align education to the workforce needs of industry. Our goal with these weekly collaborative meetings is to share critical workforce and education information with all of the stakeholders. This is an enormous undertaking, but together we are breaking unprecedented ground and changing the education model to take New Jersey’s economy to the next level,” said Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D., NJCCC President.
Special thanks to RCSJ President Dr. Frederick Keating for welcoming the crowd, hosting the event, and sharing his insightful knowledge about pathway development.
The mission of The New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, led by New Jersey’s Community Colleges and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, is to align education to build an innovative workforce. It is comprised of four Industry Collaboratives which are statewide inclusive groups of industry leaders and educational partners across the state focused on the four key industries of the state’s economy; (1) Health Services, (2) Infrastructure and Energy, (3) Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, and (4) Technology and Innovation. The Pathways Initiative will expand economic mobility for students and adult learners and drive economic growth for employers.
At each of the four Industry Collaborative meetings, NJCCC brings together industry and education partners from across the state and sectors to share labor market intelligence, as well as discuss other key topics regarding workforce development and education issues. The Pathways Initiative is creating a connected education ecosystem to industry and has more than 1,200 industry and education partners since its kick-off in December 2021. More details are available at njpathways.org.
About the New Jersey Council of County Colleges
The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) was created in 1989 to support and promote New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges that now enroll more than 300,000 people each year in credit, non-credit, and workforce development courses at more than 70 campuses throughout the state. More than 200,000 students - over half of all undergraduate students in public colleges and universities in the state - are enrolled at New Jersey’s Community Colleges. The Community Colleges also enroll nearly 100,000 students in non-credit programs and partner with thousands of businesses to meet their training and workforce needs.
The primary goal of New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges is to meet the ever-changing educational needs of our great state’s residents. Today, through more than 1,700 degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit courses and customized workforce training programs, New Jersey Community Colleges are helping more students than ever. Further, equity and access priorities are advanced every day with over half of the total undergraduate enrollment in New Jersey Community Colleges coming from minority and traditionally underrepresented populations.
To learn more about NJCCC and New Jersey’s Community Colleges, go to www.njccc.org. Follow us @NJCommColleges on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to learn more about our latest programs and initiatives.
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