Atlantic County Institute of Technology Named "District of the Month" for October

October 31, 2007, Atlantic City -- The New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVTS) honored Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT) as the "District of the Month" for October in recognition of its role in shaping a high-quality workforce for the resort county.

Dr. Philip Guenther, superintendent of the Atlantic County Institute of Technology, was presented with the award by Council President Frank Gargiulo at the Council's October meeting, held at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

"Atlantic City would not be the world-class tourist destination that it is without a skilled workforce in the region," Gargiulo said. "With its strong partnerships with businesses and labor unions, ACIT is leading the way in workforce development for this county."

Like all county vocational-technical schools across the state, ACIT responds to the regional economic needs of the county it serves. "ACIT is constantly evolving to reflect the workforce needs so that our graduates are guaranteed a supply of in-demand jobs right here at home, across the state, or wherever their career path takes them," Dr. Guenther said.

Dr. Guenther highlighted ACIT's Academy for Culinary Arts and Hospitality as a program that has a symbiotic relationship with the business community. "In Atlantic County, we know there is a never-ending demand for skilled workers in the culinary arts and hospitality, and we are helping to fill that need for area businesses," Guenther said. "Those same businesses are dedicated to helping shape future workers and we are fortunate that our students receive tremendous assistance, mentoring and instruction from some of the nation's top professionals in the trade."

Also featured at the District of the Month presentation was an important partnership with the local carpenter's union. Funded with a grant from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, this partnership provides construction trades students with a seamless transition to a union apprenticeship after graduation. "All a student has to do is look across the skyline of Atlantic City is to see the never-ending building projects that are on the horizon. Each and every project represents job opportunities for ACIT students," said Dr. Guenther.