HCCC & NJRC launch 3rd annual summer training for court-involved youth

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC) celebrated the start of their 3rd annual Summer Training Institute during a press conference on campus this morning.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

The program is a partnership among the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC), HCCC, and NJRC, providing meaningful job training and workforce development opportunities for 380 New Jersey residents involved with the court this year.

Participants can receive industry-recognized credentials.

“I can’t believe we’re three years into this. Each year, it gets better: This is nothing short of a life-changing opportunity for participating students, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber declared.

He stated that 97 percent of students have successfully completed the program.

There is a General Construction Pathway offering training in various areas, including Construction, Forklift Operation, OSHA-30, Solar Installation, Welding, Flagging, Scaffolding, Fall Prevention, and Drug and Alcohol certifications.

In addition, they are also offering courses on the Healthcare Pathway for credentials in Phlebotomy and Peer Recovery Specialization, as well as a Digital Literacy program to support computer readiness and job competitiveness.

NJRC Chair and Executive Director Jim McGreevey, a Jersey City mayoral candidate, noted it’s the third annual start of the program for about 300 students and highlighted the need to help those with problems.

“This is a population that yearns for a second chance,” he declared.

McGreevey noted the importance of credentials in helping graduates secure jobs in various fields that require them.

He also noted they are working with Hudson County Department of Housing and Reintegration Director Frank Mazza and thanked him for his assistance.

“It takes a village. Thank you all,” Reber added.

McGreevey said the NJRC is committed to working with the court-involved population, further explaining that the employment rate of the graduates is 73 percent.

He also noted the importance of mixing classroom learning and practical experience to help those unfamiliar with an academic setting.

“We have designed a course curriculum to be responsive to the needs … That’s why it’s working.”

“This is really a celebration of a really important partnership. We’re … committed to supporting more of these partnerships,” added NJCCC President Dr. Aaron R. Fichtner, who thank Gov. Phil Murphy (D) for supporting the program.

“At the heart of what we do is expanding opportunity … I look forward to graduation,” Fichtner declared to applause.

Graduate John Gosser said the NJRC and helped him obtain construction credentials once he got out of jail.

“It has given.me opportunities and given me perspective on life: It has given me a second chance at life. A lot of us convicts … court-involved people, we’re judged a lot,” Gosser noted.

“It gives me that opportunity to get my foot in the door … Without this, is don’t know where I would go.”

Additionally, Faith Reed said she is in the construction pathway solar panel building program. She said they helped resolve legal issues as she built a resume.

“I did the peer recovery training because I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how,” she said.

Reed noted she has a son and is seeking to demonstrate success to him in the traditionally male-dominated field of construction.

Passaic resident Kavon Little said the NJRC helped him greatly, providing services such as fine tuning his resume and cover letters. He took courses related to solar panel construction and operating small businesses as well.

McGreevey noted it’s often hard to help people get a job when they have problems with mental health and housing. For that reason, they also help people get identification and access to social programs to address these issues.