By Julia Train
The Egg Harbor Township School District’s Vocational Career and Technical Education Department hosted a Youth Apprenticeship Week event Wednesday, May 8, at the high school.
Representatives from the school’s partner organizations, including employers, labor unions, workforce professionals, and higher education institutions, visited the high school to talk to students about what they do and answer questions about the trades.
Those partner organizations included the New Jersey Department of Labor Workforce Development Office of Apprenticeship, the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, Rowan College of South Jersey, Local 68 Operating Engineers, International Alliance of Theatrical State Employees and Local 322 Plumbers & Pipefitters.
“This was a great opportunity for us to bring different speakers from our local unions to talk about opportunities that are available in their companies,” said Carmelita Graham, director of vocational education and career technical education for the Egg Harbor Township School District.
During the 2021-2022 school year, EHTHS introduced the Pre-Apprenticeship and Career Education (PACE) program as an opportunity for students to explore careers, participate in apprenticeships and often earn college credits while still in high school. The program was started through a $300,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor Workforce Development and allows the school to find employers and partners willing to provide instruction and on-the-job training to students.
Partners include Viking Yachts, South Jersey Yacht Sales, the Atlantic County Utilities Authority, the New Jersey Manufacturing and Exploration Program and Atlantic Cape Community College for a medical assistant program.
Donna Vassallo, PACE Grant college liaison and a former Atlantic Cape Community College dean, recognizes that college isn’t for everyone. Vassallo spoke about how her father, who was an electrician, set her up to graduate after six years of college with no debt because of his career.
She also talked about how her son thought he had to go to college because she was a dean, but she knew it wasn’t for him and tried to sway him toward the trades.
After taking “a pause,” learning different skills, he went back to school for his associates degree in business administration just in case he might need it. He then got a job at South Jersey Industries and is now in the running for leadership and administration positions because of his degree.
“I’m a college dean who recognizes this was not for him,” she said as she recalled the story. “You can mesh both [the trades and college credits] should you wish.”
Seven current PACE students talked, sharing their favorite memories, expectations versus reality, their experiences and plans after high school graduation.
PACE students are all seniors who take a half-day of regular courses and spend the afternoon learning about the trades, through both hands-on experiences and partner representatives in the classroom.
According to apprenticeship.gov, building off the success of National Apprenticeship Week, Youth Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration that highlights the benefits and value of registered apprenticeship program opportunities for youth, ages 16–24.
May 5-11 was the first ever Youth Apprenticeship Week, a celebration held across the country with a different theme each day.
Julia is a student at Rider University, majoring in multiplatform journalism with a minor in social media strategies. At school, she writes and is news editor for The Rider News and is the News Director for the radio station, producing news updates. She’ll be graduating in the spring. Connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
