Spring 2004 Graduates

Construction Training Program Graduates 27 Newark Residents

The Construction Trades Training Program for Women and Minorities has already provided union apprenticeships to more than 75 graduates

Newark, NJ (June 16, 2004) - Twenty-seven Newark graduates are the most recent success stories of a local training program for minorities and women who want to work in construction.

The Newark/Essex County Construction Careers Program (NECCC) - a building trades program for women and minorities sponsored by NJ Schools Construction Corporation (SCC), NJ Department of Labor and the NJ Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) - held a graduation celebration for more than two-dozen graduates at Essex County College last Thursday.

John F. Spencer, CEO of the SCC, delivered the keynote address, in which he said, “Under Governor McGreevey’s leadership, we are working harder than ever to ensure that every child can learn in a safe, healthy and high-quality environment. Through your hard work and determination, you will help build a better life for New Jersey’s children. With your skills, you will help us build 21st Century schools for 21st Century leaders.”

Ken Zimmerman, Executive Director of NJISJ said, “The strong partnership of the state, community, building trades and public schools has made it possible for so many Newark residents to enter construction careers in such a short period of time."

Andre Williams, of Newark, poses with Jack Spencer after receiving the Christian Jarecki Spirit Award. This award is given to a graduate who has demonstrated determination and commitment to succeed in the program. Also appearing in the photo is Wil Chabrier, General Manager for Business and Job Opportunity at the Port Authority of NY/NJ and Ken Zimmerman, Executive Director of the NJ Institute for Social Justice.

The NECCC is part of the Construction Trades Training Program for Women and Minorities (CTTP-WM), a no-cost preparatory training program funded by the SCC. The program helps Abbott district residents prepare to test with the State’s construction trade unions and compete for union apprenticeships. Currently the program is in eleven locations across the state. Seventy-six African-American and Latino residents of Newark have already been admitted into apprenticeships, and 20 have been hired by contractors since their graduation.

As it approaches its second anniversary, the SCC has hundreds of school construction projects underway throughout the state. In Newark alone, there are plans to build 40 brand new schools and additional plans for 30 renovation and addition projects.

Governor James E. McGreevey created the SCC in July 2002 to streamline the building of 21st Century schools throughout the state. The SCC is responsible for implementing New Jersey's $8.6 billion school building program - the largest public construction program ever undertaken by the State and one of the largest programs of its type ever undertaken in the nation.

List of the 27 graduates:

Rasheed Barcus
DuQuan Bell
Jasmin Bynum
Terell Connor
Khashif Dunbar
Qonisha Earl
Joaquin Elliott
Wyneair Granville
Shawn Hawkins
Todd Johnson
Arande Major
Richard McFadden
Laquan Kennedy
Malik Muhammad
Jared Nelums
Shafiq K. Sabir
Keisha Varnado
Andre Williams
Erica Woods
Joseph Zachery
Noel Vargas
David Scovil
Lonzell T. Battle
Warren Fils-Aime
Wayne Bailey
Kim Simmons
Vincent Couram

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