49 electricians and plumbers graduate from MCVTS Apprentice Program

49 electricians and plumbers graduate from MCVTS Apprentice Program

After years of classes and on-the-job training, 49 electricians and plumbers have graduated from the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools Apprentice Program.

The ceremony, held May 16 in the auditorium on the MCVTS East Brunswick Campus,

was the culmination of an intensive educational program involving between 600 and 900 hours of classroom instruction and between 8,000 and 10,000 hours of on-the-job training over four years for plumbers and five years for electricians. Apprenticeship programs combine full-time supervised and structured on-the-job training with part‑time related theoretical instruction.  Apprentices who successfully complete the program receive national and state credentials.

Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin (D-Middlesex) received the Alfred Hudanish Leadership Award for longstanding commitment to career and technical education and apprenticeship.

Among the dignitaries attending were MCVTS Board of Education member Keith Jones II, School Business Administrator Karl Knehr and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Bicsko.

The graduates included 15 electricians sponsored by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 456 in North Brunswick.

Five graduates were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society, all members of IBEW Local 456: Christopher Caccio of Monroe, Frank Cipot of New Brunswick, Leonard DiGiacomo of Freehold, Louis Dowling of Woodbridge, and Dillon Gallagher of Monroe.

Dawn M. Lystad, MCVTS director of adult education and Middlesex County apprenticeship coordinator, introduced class representative Leonard DiGiacomo, who was chosen for academic performance and leadership. DiGiacomo and plumbing apprentice Vincent Prybeck Jr. of Fords received certificates for perfect attendance.

Local 456 President Michael G. McLaughlin presented the Edward Fofrich Memorial Award to Christopher Caccio. It recognizes IBEW apprentices who practice the principles of labor unions by helping classmates in school and co-workers on the job.

The MCVTS Adult School also offers programs in practical nursing; electrical technology; heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology, and plumbing technology, as well as apprentice training in business and office occupations, construction trades and manufacturing industries, and customized training that can be developed to meet the needs of employers.