Kenilworth, NJ (September 8, 2005) - Officials of the Union County Vo-Tech Schools today unveiled a new initiative aimed at training local students in the craft of carpentry through an innovative collaboration with the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters (NJRCC), the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) and the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC).

Hailed by officials at a joint press conference as the first of its kind in New Jersey, this public-private partnership will help provide jobs for young adults in the community who have completed an extensive apprenticeship.

Ten qualified students are guaranteed slots in the pilot apprenticeship program, which will be run by Union County Vo-Tech Schools and funded by the NJ Schools Construction Corporation through the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The joint press conference, held at the Carpenters Training Center in Kenilworth, was conducted by Dr. Thomas Bistocchi, Superintendent of UCVTS; LWD Commissioner Thomas Carver; Frank Spencer, President of the statewide Carpenters Council; and Jerry Murphy, SCC Chief Operating Officer, and E. Tracie Long, SCC Labor/Workforce Coordinator. Also participating were UCVTS carpentry student Christine Glasgow and county Freeholders Rick Proctor and Dan Sullivan.

"This is a wonderful pilot program that will provide real opportunities for young adults in this community. We are proud to be a part of this unique partnership, which should serve as a model for other training programs in New Jersey's building trades," Murphy said.

SCC has committed support to over 2,700 school construction projects at 1,800 schools, launching school-based community revitalization efforts and strengthening the economy by creating employment and business opportunities for companies large and small.