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Business Partners of the Year: Essex County
2010—Peter Ielmini, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators, Local 32
Mr. Ielmini has been a partner of the Essex County Vocational Technical Schools for five years. As apprenticeship coordinator for the NJ Building Trades Council, he has worked very closely with the district's apprenticeship coordinator to develop many relationships with local building trades unions. In addition, he has assisted in establishing a Young Technical Trades Workers association at all district high schools. He sits on the advisory committees of multiple building trades careers and teclrnical education programs.
2009—PSEG
PSEG does more than talk about partnership: It acts. The company's active collaboration with Essex County Vocational Technical Schools is evident in PSEG's advice, its access to facilities, its advocacy for program growth, the grants the company provides, the participation of its staff in NJCCVTS state-wide Career and Technical Education conferences, the involvement of ECVTS in PSEG-sponsored workforce development planning sessions and the overwhelming support the company provides for the Green Energy Academy at Bloomfield Tech.
Moreover, PSEG's active partnering in career development for young people is evident as the company continues to foster the dual enrollment of ECVT students from both Bloomfield and Newark Tech in Essex County College. This consistent effort over many years has had a continued impact on the lives of ECVTS students.
Through the company's liaison, Rosa Schmidt, PSEG is improving Career and Technical Education and is making a positive difference for students and teachers through its consistent commitment.
2008—Symphony Printing
Symphony Printing, a family-owned, award-winning printer, developed a partnership with the Essex County Vocational Technical Schools five years ago. Symphony Printing has employed students in work-study jobs, giving the students experience in rush-project assignments. Symphony Printing has afforded students the opportunity to work as receptionists, office assistants, junior press operators and assembly/bindery operators. Describing the students as "technically top-notch and great learners," Symphony Printing has retained several ECVTS students for full time employment in many areas of the printing field.
2007—Bloomfield Electrical Supply Co.
William B. Kent Jr., president and owner of Bloomfield Electrical Supply Company, has been a school-to-work partner with the Essex County Vocational-Technical Schools for the past 20 years. Through his dedication and commitment to electrical education, Mr. Kent has employed scores of students from the electrical construction technology program as 12th grade cooperative education workers. His company gives students the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge of the electrical construction industry and also to view entrepreneurship first hand. Mr. Kent takes his role as a mentor very seriously by emphasizing computer proficiency in the work force, total trade familiarity and workforce and interpersonal skills. His cooperative education graduates have gone on to numerous electrical apprenticeships, as well as furthering their education at local colleges.
2006—Public Service Electric & Gas Services Corp.
In 2005, Essex County Vocational Technical School (ECVTS) forged a partnership with Public Service Electric & Gas Services Corp. (PSE&G), one of New Jersey's most stable and essential companies. This joint effort has provided students of ECVTS an opportunity to gain early acceptance into PSE&G's Associate Degree Program in Utility Technology held at Essex County College. Through the tireless efforts of Project Director Lina Hollman, Director of Talent Management Dana Berkheimer, and CEO Ralph Izzo, this program has grown from 12 students taking college courses at the Bloomfield Center to 24 students attending Essex County College twice a week for two semesters as well as participating in a school release "Job-Shadowing" component. Ms. Hollman has indeed been a friend to the students, staff and administrators of ECVTS in her pursuit of building a bridge between the private sector and the school district.