BMCC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

Higher education partnerships with industry leaders result in apprenticeships, networking opportunities and valuable mentoring experiences for students who are eager to kick off their careers and raise the socio-economic standing of their families and communities.

To showcase the important role of Registered Apprenticeships and honor industry partners, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development celebrated the U.S. Department of Labor’s Tenth Annual National Apprenticeship Week on November 19 at Center’ 25 Broadway campus in lower Manhattan.

A registered apprenticeship program is the process of learning a skilled trade through a combination of on-the job training and related classroom instruction approved by the state.

“The beauty of apprenticeship programs is that students have an opportunity to really learn, and at the same time earn a livable wage as they gain new skills, new technologies and new approaches to work,” said Assistant Vice President of the Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Dr. Terry Kidd.  “They are also beneficial because it gives students a chance to try out a career and see if it’s a good fit for them.”

Industry partners from Community Healthcare Association, CVS Healthcare, JP Morgan, Kennedy Children’s Center and TransRe as well as the New York State Educator Workforce Development Hub were recognized at the event for their Registered Apprenticeship.

This year’s celebration was hosted by Steven Nunez, Director of Apprenticeship Programs at the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development.  He says he is proud that BMCC has led efforts to bring business leaders and industry stakeholders into the same room with academia and educational leadership.

“They are able talk about the vision and implement more apprenticeship programs not only New York City but the entire country,” said Director Nunez. “We’ll continue to do more for our students seeking these opportunities in the years to come.

Colleen McDonald, Director of the New York State Educator Workforce Development Hub was the keynote speaker. Her agency’s mission is to bring highly-developed new educators to school communities across the state using an innovative registered apprenticeship model, approved by the New York State Labor Apprenticeship Agency.

Other speakers included Dr. Kidd, BMCC Associate Dean of Faculty Dr. Gail Fernandez, BMCC Director of Internships and Experiential Learning Sharon Reid, Senior University Director, Career Development and Internships Anna Malik, and Pemba Sherpa from the New York State Department of Labor.

The event also recognized an Apprenticeship trailblazer, BMCC graduate Oladipupo Ologundudu, who while at BMCC, started as an apprentice at AON, and is now employed with the company full time.

“I am truly honored to have been recognized as an Apprentice Trailblazer,” said Ologundo. “I am deeply grateful for the unwavering commitment of BMCC and its partners to advancing apprenticeship programs. This transformative opportunity has been life-changing, and I remain dedicated to advocating for the success of future apprentices.”

Speakers highlight the power of apprenticeships to create career pipelines and transform lives

John Widlund, Executive Director at the Center for Educational Innovation said he was excited by BMCC’s apprenticeship program.

“The BMCC program provides the synergy between the needs of industry and desires of our young people,” said Widlund. “It gives students the opportunity to continue with their education while training for specific levels of employment.”

Michael Todisco, President and CEO of Apprenticeship, Connections & Consulting Corp.. said the expansion of apprenticeship programs is important for the health of the city and the entire country’s industries, businesses and trades.

“Providing a truly customized career path training program for young individuals entering the workforce is so vital,” said Todisco. “The more industries that are involved, the better.”

Individuals who are interested in a student apprenticeship program can visit BMCC Registered Internship website.

“There are diverse opportunities in the healthcare field, information technology, business, accounting, finance and much more,” said Director Nunez. “There are many pathways that students can be connected to that can lead to gainful employment.”