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Business Partners of the Year: Mercer County
2010—The Village Salon, Pennington
The Village Salon in Pennington has been honored as the Mercer County Technical Schools 2010 Business Partner of the Year. Karen Marino, a graduate of MCTS and the owner of the salon, and her husband, David Clark, the director of operations, are long-time supporters of the MCTS cosmetology program. Currently, 88 percent of the employees at The Village Salon are graduates of the Mercer County Technical Schools. Karen and David work closely with Christine Cardinale, Cosmetology Instructor at the Arthur R. Sypek Center, to ensure that the students are well-prepared to enter the workforce. In addition, the salon has provided product donations and equipment for Ms. Cardinale's students.
2009—Workforce Investment Board
The collaboration between Mercer County Technical Schools and the Mercer County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) has been an essential element for student success. The Healthcare Committee of the WIB, represented by acute care hospitals, long term care centers, schools, colleges, etc., has established concentrated support of the following initiatives: campaigning for a full-time four year high school program scheduled to open in September, 2010; apprenticeship career opportunities as pharmacy technicians through CVS, Caremark as well as customized training for the practical nursing program for adults. Beverly Mills is the Director of the Workforce Investment Board and has offered tremendous support for a variety of educational initiatives.
2008—Lawrence Lexus
For more than 15 years, Lawrence Lexus has played a major role in hiring apprentice level technicians from Mercer County Technical Schools' Sypek Center. Currently, eight Sypek Center graduates are employed at the company. During the past two years, the school has received a level of support unmatched by any other service department in the area, thanks to the contributions of Service Director Matt Torretta. The dealership became involved with supporting the Skills USA contest by providing three master level technicians to judge school events. Matt also mentors students.
2008—Taylor Wiseman & Taylor
Bob Boer and the staff from Taylor Wiseman & Taylor have provided support to the architectural and engineering design program at the Mercer County Technical Schools' Assunpink Center. In addition to attending advisory committee meetings twice a year, Taylor Wiseman & Taylor have delivered specialized training to students, judged local SkillsUSA competitions and hired cooperative education students, with many students being hired upon completion of the program.
2007—St. Francis Medical Center School of Nursing
Mercer County Technical Schools' Assunpink Center has had an extensive partnership with Dr. Bonnie Ross, director of the School of Nursing at St. Francis Medical Center, for many years. Dr. Ross helps health occupations and medical office assistant students explore various health careers throughout the hospital. She assists in coordinating the schedules for the students to job shadow in various hospital departments and personally conducts tours of the School of Nursing. Many students from Mercer County Technical Schools have pursued their dreams of becoming nurses by attending the St. Francis School of Nursing. Dr. Ross, who recently completed her Ph.D., is a professional role model for students, demonstrating the unlimited opportunities a career in nursing offers.
2006—Bear Creek Assisted Living
Bear Creek Assisted Living has partnered with Mercer County Technical Schools since 2002. Though an interdisciplinary year-round project, the 75 students enrolled in the Culinary Arts, Cosmetology and Health and Child Care programs are immersed into the service industry. The students practice competency skills to develop relationships with area professionals, and the Bear Creek visitors to the Sypek Center have the opportunity to experience services prepared, planned and presented by students. Field trip opportunities provide students the flexibility to use their skills outside of the school environment. The adults benefit from the interaction with the high school students and develop strong lasting relationships, and through the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in a practical, hands-on, skills-based manner, the students gain real-world experience. The innovative, interactive nature of the project makes it exciting and rewarding for all participants.