Raritan NJ
12-07-2022 9:12pm

ICYMI# RVCC Celebrates 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week

Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg joined the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development in celebrating the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, November 14-20. As part of the celebration, the College offered a special day of programming for high school students on November 16 that focused on RVCC’s Automotive, HVAC, and Healthcare apprentice programs.

The day also featured a separate Advanced Manufacturing event that included presenting certification awards to six Machinist apprentices who completed the 8,000-hour Journeyman requirements. A classrooms tour; a high school project presentation; and a collaborative, interactive panel discussion featuring members of the Advanced Manufacturing Advisory Board also were highlights of the event, which was held at the College’s Workforce Training Center.

Those attending the event included apprentice employers, prospective employers and prospective apprentices, and educators. The program offered participants the opportunity to learn about pathways for apprenticeship success and the positive impact these programs can bring to communities and families. Separate Healthcare programming also provided information about Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomy apprenticeship training.

The event was part of a nationwide celebration showcasing the impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have in building the American workforce. It also highlighted the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeships for re-building the economy; advancing racial and gender equity; building a pipeline for good, quality jobs; and supporting underserved communities.

The lively, interactive panel discussion highlighted how parents, middle and high schools, manufacturers, and the College can support each other in introducing work in the trades as a personally and financially rewarding educational alternative for students. Various speakers addressed how an aging workforce presents an immediate and growing opportunity for skilled labor, and how direct mentorship in the apprenticeship model creates a strong, supportive environment for learning.

Praising the value of a hands-on education leading directly to a career, discussion moderator Gary Slawik, Apprentice Program Manager at Bihler of America, Inc., noted, “There’s an old saying in vocational education: ‘Creativity breeds self-confidence and self-respect.’ And you’re absolutely right when you say, when you build something, see something, make something that you know is making a difference in the world, you’ve got to feel good about that.”

Through the College’s participation in the Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS), Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE), Healthworks Scaling Apprenticeship, and CareerAdvance USA (through County College of Morris) grants, RVCC supports students in meaningful academic experiences that prepare them for entering the workforce. Additionally, the College’s Center for Workforce Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing is building career pathways with aligned educational curriculum to develop a qualified talent pool to serve critical workforce needs.

The apprenticeship model provides a pipeline for students and incumbent employees to earn wages while they receive training. On-the-job learning creates an environment where students can apply their training in context, fulfill the growing demand of industry needs, and ultimately continue to close the skills gaps for employers.

For information about all of Raritan Valley Community College’s workforce training programs, visit www.raritanval.edu/workforce. To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/career-training/career-training-programs/apprenticeship-opportunities.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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