Hudson County Community College, in partnership with New Jersey Reentry Corp., recently announced the second year of its Summer Training Institute.
HCCC President Christopher Reber and NJRC Chairman and Executive Director James McGreevey welcomed guests including New Jersey Council of County Colleges Vice President Catherine Starghill and Hudson County Department of Family Services and Reintegration Director Frank Mazza.
The Summer Training Institute opens new doors for 230 court-involved young adults by offering comprehensive job training for industry-recognized credentials leading to careers with family-sustaining wages in the general construction, health care, culinary arts and other sectors. Funding for the Summer Training Institute is provided by the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative and supported by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
Students choosing the construction pathway may earn OSHA 30, Forklift Operator, Scissor-Lift Operator, Lockout/Tagout, Flagger, Scaffolding, Fall Prevention and Drug/Alcohol Awareness, Solar PV Installer and Green Construction certifications. Those following the health care pathway may earn Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, CPR and Peer Recovery Specialist certifications. Individuals pursuing a culinary arts pathway may earn the indispensable ServSafe certification. Microsoft Basics training also will be available to participants.
A strategic goal of the initiative is to construct pathways from noncredit to credit courses and develop academic proficiency certifications that align with these occupational sectors and may lead to college degrees. As the lead college, HCCC will provide pharmacy, phlebotomy and computer basics training as well as student success coaches to guide students on their journeys; and evaluate the training programs to determine credit that can be awarded toward academic certificates and degrees. NJRC will offer students access to a full array of wraparound services, such as enrollment in federal and state benefits programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, and medical, dental and behavioral health screenings.
“It is truly an honor to partner with New Jersey Reentry Corp., Hudson County, New Jersey Council of County Colleges and New Jersey Business & Industry Association in continuing this very important work,” Reber said. “Our nationally acclaimed Hudson Scholars student-success program demonstrates how vitally important education, experiential learning, tutoring and holistic wellness services are to producing positive outcomes. We look forward to providing many individuals with the opportunity to participate in this life-changing program.”