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An Official Publication of

Bergen County Technical Schools- Adult & Continuing Education Career & Technical Education Newsletter

Volume 5

Number 1

In This Issue...

Principal’s Desk, Mr. Vic Lynch - P. 2

Hydronic Boilers - P.3

Career Services Portal 24/7 - P. 4

HSE / ESL - P. 5

Quick Links - P. 5

Specialty Articles

Blended Learning 1

Business Program 2

Welding Society 3

Hydronic Plumbing 3

Manufacturing 4

Apprenticeships 5

American Dream 5

ADULT ED ADDS BLENDED & VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL

Hackensack, NJ—Back in March 2020,

the world of education was turned upside

down amid the global pandemic. Thanks

to the highly skilled Technology

Department at BCTS, a learning and

instructional platform to deliver the

curricula was put in place within a week

or so. The day students used mostly

Google Classroom and the evening

school used ZOOM. Students, faculty,

support staff, and administration were

provided training in various ways. Later,

the day time students were also using

ZOOM for career placement,

departmental services or counseling.

Trades of HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical,

and business management.

The Center for Disease Control

(CDC) set parameters for safe return

for our school was able to reopen on

July 27 on a rotating and limited

basis. Programs along the way have

been modified collectively and on an

individual basis to meet the needs of

our many sttudents who eventually

will enter or re-enter the private or

public workplace. While nothing

replaces the hands on experience of

CTE education, our well qualified

faculty have continued to deliver

competitive instruction in the trades

of HVAC/R, plumbing, electrical,

and business management.

FE BR UA RT Y 2021

BCTS- Adult & Continuing Education

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Hackensack, NJ–Bergen’s Business

Administration program has gotten a

facelift. BCTS Adult Ed is both excited

and proud to offer a new path toward a

Business Administration and

Management certification. Building on

the foundation of its predecessor, this

new program offers more time, hands

on projects, an upgraded curriculum,

and industry-recognized certifications.

Adult & Continuing Education

190 Hackensack Avenue Hackensack, NJ 07601

Departments General Info

x2288

Full-Time Day Admissions

X2047

HSE/ESL X4639

Evening School\

x2289

Apprenticeships X4603

Bursar X2408

Financial Aid

X2048

Career Services X5503

Curriculum

X2280

CTE Academics X4625

Visit

www.bergen.org Click on the

Adult Ed Icon

BCTS EST. 1952

Dr. Howard Lerner

Superintendent

The most notable addition is CompTIA’s IT

Fundamentals module. Here, students will

apply computers work and how to avoid,

block, and fix security risks. The articulation

agreement for nine (9) credits with Felician

University remains in place. New Instructor

Ms. Gretchen Foote has worked diligently to

ready the program, which opened in mid

February 2021.

GAIN BUSINESS CREDENTIALS IN A SHORT TIME FRAME

NEW MANAGEMENT PROGRAM READIES STUDENTS FOR COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT

Hackensack, NJ—In February 2020,

our school community had no idea of

the seismic event that COVID-19 would

turn out to be. However, everybody in

the school community learned to

improvise so that career and technical

education could continue. I am proud to

say through the flexibility and expertise

of our teachers, coupled with the tireless

work of our staff, the students of Bergen

Tech Adult Ed are being trained in their

field, placed in high paying positions

and receiving continuing education. As

we continue to support each other

through difficult times, the outlook for

the school is hopeful.

From the Principal’s Desk—Mr. Vic Lynch

Adult Ed Principal Mr. Victor Lynch

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AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY PARTNERS WITH BCTS CTE

FULL-TIME DAY PROGRAM

• BUSINESS

• ELECTRICAL

• HVAC/R

• PLUMBING

EVENING SCHOOL COURSES Plumbing

Electrical Technology

HVAC

Welding

Carpentry

Collision Repair

Home Maintenance

and Repair

Lifestyle

Technical Computer

Training

CNC/Cisco

Networking

Computer Training

(PC)

Office 365 & Microsoft

365 Certification

Makerspace

Firemen-Stationary

Engineering

Water & Wastewater

Operation

Home Inspection

Program

Detroit, MI—Already a partner with BCTS, the American Welding Society (AWS), a non-profit association of national welding experts has been working with the Adult Education division to launch an expanded version of our popular welding classes housed on the Teterboro Campus.

These boilers are a game-changer…” Mr.

Aleman said.

Hackensack, NJ—The Adult Education

division is feverishly developing an

Advance Manufacturing Program (AMP) to

be housed on campus in the Maker Space,

which moved to accommodate their own

expansion and quality educational services.

Scheduled launch is September, 2021,

AMP, similar to the welding initiative, will

bring together experts in business, industry,

and educational backgrounds to forge an

experience in manufacturing dynamics that

are in great demand in our metropolitan

Washington. DC—The life blood of the Full-

TimeDay Program (FTDP) is the annual

funding available through the Carl Perkins Act

of 1984. This legislation is earmarked for

vocational and technical training in the trades to

purchase tools, equipment, and computer

software that advanced student skills and

instructional design. This past Spring (2020),

the FTDP was allocated grant funding to

purchase and upgrade boiler technology better

known as “hydronic” Through the expertise of

Master Plumber and Instructor Mr. Robert

Aleman, his students are advancing their

aptitude and applications on state of the heart

technology, including the latest “green”

PERKINS ACT FUNDS HYDRONIC BOILERS IN PLUMBING

AWS is assisting in instructor recruitment, curricula design and upgrades, business partnerships, and potential apprentice and non-track apprentice students. The model currently looks to be an evening school expanded offering. Interested students or area businesses should check our website during the late Spring 2021 for details at http://www.bergen.org and click Adult Education homepage.

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Adult Ed is partnering with area businesses to make

this program a reality through strategic planning,

grant funding, infrastructure, promotional material,

social media advertising, and word of month.

Perspective students, workers or employers

interested in the program may contact Principal

Victor Lynch at 201-343-6000 x2288.

Employer Portal

A Google Forms portal link is OPEN and available 24/7 for employers who are looking to hire newly trained

students. This link is available on the Adult Ed webpage under Career Services and also under Lisa Joy

Alessandrino’s email page. Employers are encouraged to register via link or contact Lisa Joy directly. Business

contact information and basic needs assessment is required. Adult Ed. career staff will reach back out to employer

for a response within 24 hours. Depending on availability, either a student resume will be shared or further

clarification may be needed for a wider database search.

Student Job Portal

The Student Job Portal is in Google Sheets, which contains a running list of all the job opportunities that are

received via employer’s portal or other modes of communication to Career Services staff. This portal is exclusive,

ONLY to Full-Time Day students and access must be granted. Contact Lisa Joy for access. This portal allows

students to view and apply to job opportunities anytime.

Hackensack, NJ—The Adult Education division is

feverishly developing an Advance Manufacturing Program

(AMP) to be housed on campus in the Maker Space.,

which moved to accommodate their own expansion and

quality educational services. Scheduled launch is

September, 2021, AMP, similar to the welding initiative,

will bring together experts in business, industry, and

educational backgrounds to forge an experience in

manufacturing dynamics that are in great demand in our

metropolitan area. The United States Department of Labor

(USDOL) has identified AM as one of the fastest growth

industries in the country due to the computer skills,

diagnostics and stackable credentials necessary for a 21st

Century economy.

CAREER SERVICES PROVIDES PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES 24/7 Google portal platform now open for students and employers!

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USDOL Cheat Sheet

On-Job-Training (OJT) 2000

hours = One Year

Related Technical Instruction (RTI)

144 Hours = One Year

Post-secondary schooling may count toward RTI

Previous OJT + overtime may count through

USDOL

HVACR, Electrician & Plumbing RTI classes evenings at BCTS are accredited 4 year

576 hours of programming

8000 hours of OJT with registered employers occur

simultaneously

One Year OJT as Journeyman provides eligibility for NJ State

licensing exam

Useful w

Apprentice.gov

Licensing Exams Journeyman Only

NJconsmeraffairs.gov

Items of Note

Full-Time Day Program (FTDP) is considered a Pre-

Apprenticeship training model

Contact

Dr. Karpowich CountyApprenticeship

Coordinator

201-343-6000 x 4603 www.bergen.org

APPRENTICESHIP RTI ACCREDITATION CONTINUES GROWTH

Trenton, NJ—The Evening School Division has continued to see growth in the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) fully accredited program for Related Technical Instruction (RTI) for HVAC/R, Electrician, and Plumbing. Well over 200 potential and fully sponsored apprentices have overcome many obstacles during the COVID pandemic. Some students were furloughed, laid off, displaced, or let go because their businesses either went under, ceased operations, or moved to other states or geographic locations.

Through the vigilance and expertise of Patty Field, Administrative Assistant for the Evening School, all students wishing to continue their RTI portion of the licensing program. The steady hand of County Apprenticeship Coordinator, Dr. James Karpowich, all students were serviced with bi-annual counseling and USDOL requirements. Additionally, students who previously graduated from one of our day programs can now receive full RTI credit once working full-time and sponsored by a licensed contractor.

HSE / ESL STUDENTS CONTINUE TO BE SERVICED BY DEDICATED STAFF

Metro Bergen County—Amid pandemic

regulations and an effort to keep students and

employees, and visitors, safe, Program

Manager Ghazala Nomani and her trusted

staff have not missed a beat. The hundreds of

inquiring about these vital services for basic

career development, language support

services, or just a helping hand have received

those dynamics and more.

The staff moved their admissions and

learning programs were moved to virtual

platforms. Extended hours to field inquiries

were also instituted to assist the many new

incoming county residents or returning

ones. For services available contact Silvia

Carmichael at 201-343-6000 x 4639.

A BRIDGE TO THE “AMERICAN DREAM” New Cliffside Park program offers many opportunities, a future

Cliffside Park, NJ—A collaboration had begun between Bergen Tech Adult Ed and Cliffside Park High School, to provide a promising future to members of the immigrant community. Alyce Cusano, Director of Guidance at Cliffside Park reached out to Adult Ed to see if we could assist students who were already 18, but still significantly short of credits required to graduate high school in New Jersey.

As a result, ten students from Cliffside Park are currently taking ESL and HSE classes to develop their proficiency in English and earn an equivalency certificate. On their first visit to the school, they heard about careers in the trades and business administration management available to them after they receive their HSE certificate. The students expressed interest in our programs as well as a desire to learn a skill that will empower them to earn a high wages and care for their families. We are excited about the future of these immigrant students and believe this collaboration with Cliffside Park will become a model to help young immigrants build a bridge to the “American dream.”