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Business Partners of the Year: Hudson County
2010—Panasonic Corporation of North America
Hudson County Schoois of Technology formed its partnership with Panasonic Corporation of North America in 2010 to propel its schools further into the vanguard of 21st century education. Panasonic will provide HCST with a tailored system of equipment, connectivity, controls and supporl for use that will ultimately be featured in the district's new and state-of-the-art leaming facility. Panasonic will also update 17 existing classrooms, incorporating cutting-edge technologies into the educational community. Dr. Larry Rosen, General Manager of Education Solutions, has been instrumental in fostering and expanding this partnership. The district has welcomed his wealth of experience, achievements and understanding of the total integration of technology into its learning community on both an atrstract and practical level. Dr. Rosen also serves on the HCST Foundation's Advisory Council, along with the Futuristic committee, a think tank designed to create a truly cutting-edge school.
2009—Cosi Restaurant
Cosi, a local food establishment in the Hudson County community, has partnered with Hudson County Schools of Technology and County Prep High School for several years. Cosi representatives play an active role on the Advisory Board of the CPHS Culinary Arts Department and act as proctora for the Culinary Arts Technical Skills Assessment Tests of Completion. Recently, Cosi participated in the revamping of Hudson County Schools of Technology's district mission statement.
More than just a community business, Cosi has become a friend to HCST, opening its doors to students in various programs. More than 50 students have been given the opportunity to work in Cosi's three restaurants. Cosi has mentored and worked closely with our staff to structure a personal learning plan to meet the needs of all students.
2008—Laurence Parisi
Architect Laurence Parisi serves Hudson County Schools of Technology as a member of the advisory committee for computer assisted drafting and design, providing valuable feedback on the latest trends in the architectural industry, as well as advice on curriculum and equipment upgrades. He also serves as a guest lecturer on careers in architecture. Mr. Parisi also serves as a valuable partner to the school's internship program, providing a number of students the opportunity to experience a true architectural internship.
2008—Mayo, Lynch & Associates Inc.
Grace Lynch and John Curry from the architectural firm Mayo, Lynch & Associates have been an invaluable asset to students of Hudson County Schools of Technology. For the last ten years, they have hired a number of students and continuously hired two interns from the computer assisted drafting class. While serving as interns, students are able to interact with professional engineers and architects, learning critical work and life skills that are beyond their traditional classroom instruction.
2007—New Jersey Carpenter's Local #6
The Hudson County Schools of Technology partnership with the New Jersey Carpenter's Local #6 provides a Youth Transition to Work (YTTW) program through a grant from the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This program recruits senior students from the Kas Prep Construction Trade Academy to work and learn with their teachers at the New Jersey Carpenters Training Center in Kenilworth. Additionally, a retired union carpenter and training center instructors and staff work with the students in hands-on activities to help them develop the necessary skills and knowledge to pass the union's entrance exam. After graduation from high school, students who pass the entrance exam will begin the seamless transition to working as apprentices. The New Jersey Carpenters Union has agreed to take up to ten students per year. Currently, eight young men and one young woman are working in this first year of the program. This cooperative arrangement provides a win-win situation for successful students and the union.
2006—Jones & Associates Communications
Roger Jones has been an active member of the Hudson County Schools of Technology's (HCST) Business and Information Advisory Council since 2001. Mr. Jones not only serves on the Advisory Council, but has also created an internship program in his own company, Jones & Associates Communications. The internships allow students enrolled in HCST's Business Occupation Program to experience first hand the skills they are learning in the classroom and how these are applied in the business world. Specific curriculum topics include customer service skills, computerized accounting, electronic file management, document design and estimating. In his role as Chairman of the Jersey City Employment & Training Commissioner, Mr. Jones has been an advocate for vocational education. During his tenure, the Jersey City Employment & Training has funded a six week summer youth program that exposes special needs and economically disadvantaged students to vocational and technical programs that are not offered at the comprehensive high schools. The Employment & Training has also funded an "Out-of-School Youth Program". This program provides high school dropouts a chance to complete their high school careers in an alternative setting that offers vocational classes, internships and job placement.