Hudson County Community College, Eastern Millwork and Thomas Edison State University Host ‘Celebration of Collaboration’
December 1, 2021
December 1, 2021, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) and Eastern Millwork, Inc., partners in the Holz Technik Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program, co-hosted a “Celebration of Collaboration” and welcomed Thomas Edison State University (TESU) as the four-year college destination for students in the program. The event was held Friday afternoon, November 19, 2021, at Eastern Millwork Headquarters in Jersey City, NJ.
HCCC President, Dr. Christopher Reber and Eastern Millwork Chief Operating Officer, Heiko Sieling were joined by Thomas Edison State University Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness, Dr. Jeffrey Harmon. HCCC Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Lori Margolin, HCCC Associate Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Dr. Burl Yearwood, and faculty, staff, and Holz Technik students also attended.
Holz Technik Apprenticeship Program participants earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Advanced Manufacturing from HCCC while serving as apprentices for EMI, an industry leader in custom and high-end, automated woodwork manufacturing and installation.
Thomas Edison State University Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Institutional Effectiveness, Dr. Jeffrey Harmon and Hudson County Community College President, Dr. Christopher Reber are seen here with Holz Technik Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program student-apprentices, Amber Gutierrez and Amar Arslanovic.
Up to four qualified local high school seniors are selected each year and hired by
EMI as apprentices who receive full benefits – paid vacation and holidays, 401K plan,
and health insurance. Apprentices earn a salary starting at $24,500 and rising to
$70,000 by the end of the fourth year, when they are awarded their HCCC A.A.S. degree
and become engineers at EMI. At the end of five years, the apprentices earn a Bachelor’s
degree in Technical Studies from Thomas Edison State University, have no college debt,
and can continue to climb the career ladder. The first cohort of Holz Technik students
will graduate from HCCC in spring 2022 and begin studies at TESU that fall. The program
and partnership is a model that is being expanded to other partners in advanced manufacturing
industries throughout New Jersey
and beyond.
“We are proud to partner with Eastern Millwork and Thomas Edison State University,” Dr. Reber stated. “The Holz Technik Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program successfully addresses the challenges of developing educated, skilled workers needed in specialized and vital industries like high-end, automated woodwork manufacturing and installation.”
“Our partnership with Hudson County Community College, and now, Thomas Edison State University, embraces talent and technology,” EMI Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Campbell said in a statement. “It helps to fill the void that existed; opens doors for the young people of our community with demonstrated promise and aptitude to have a tuition-free college degree in Advanced Manufacturing and well-paying careers with many options; and enables our company – and our industry – to provide value that importers cannot provide.”
Complete information about the HCCC-EMI Holz Technik Apprenticeship Program is available at https://www.hccc.edu/programs-courses/workforce-development/apprenticeship/index.html.