Select Page

AT&T contributes $10,500 to scholarship fund for top STEM graduates at vo-techs in all 21 counties (ROI-NJ)

April 28, 2023

STEM GraphicIn an effort to help STEM students across the state, AT&T recently announced that it has awarded the New Jersey Association of Counties Foundation $10,500 — to be used by county vocational-technical school graduates who plan on studying technology and cybersecurity at a county or state college in the fall.

If the total amount seems unusual, here’s why: The contribution will enable the NJAC Foundation to award one $500 scholarship to a student nominated by the superintendent of their school in all 21 counties. All award recipients must plan on pursuing a certificate or degree in cybersecurity, computer information systems, data analytics, database management, computer science or a related field of study.

Joe Divis, president of AT&T New Jersey, said the company is glad to be able to help.

“There’s a great need for employees who have strong technology skills in New Jersey and around the country,” he said. “We’re glad to team up with NJAC to help prepare the next generation of technology leaders in New Jersey.”

Divis said AT&T is committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives.

As part of a companywide, $2 billion commitment from 2021-23 to address the digital divide, AT&T launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, AT&T committed to programs that help millions of students across the country and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.

Heather Simmons, president of the NJAC Foundation, said the organization is grateful.

“On behalf of the board of trustees of the NJAC Foundation, I’m thrilled that AT&T has awarded the foundation this generous contribution — and I look forward to working with our county vocational-technical schools in selecting scholarship winners committed to advancing their education in the great state of New Jersey,” she said.

This article originally appeared on April 26, 2023 in ROI-NJ.

Featured News

Morris County Vocational District Partners with CCM on Career Center (TAPintoDenville)

Morris County Vocational District Partners with CCM on Career Center (TAPintoDenville)

Sep 28, 2023

The Denville-based Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) and the County College of Morris (CCM) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 27 for a new Career Training Center. The joint endeavor will open doors and improve lives by enabling Morris County students to pursue in-demand educational and career pathways while earning high school and college credits simultaneously, said the schools.

Ruhle: On tying education to workforce development — and respecting teachers (ROI-NJ)

Ruhle: On tying education to workforce development — and respecting teachers (ROI-NJ)

Sep 28, 2023

Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC recently spoke at the seventh annual Middlesex County Business Summit at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, where she emphasized the importance of vocational-technical programs. “Workforce development is the most important thing if you care about social change, care about economic development, care about how people can rise up from the bottom — that starts with getting into the foundation of a great education,” she said.

Manufacturing groups try new approaches to solve employee shortage (NJBIZ)

Manufacturing groups try new approaches to solve employee shortage (NJBIZ)

Sep 26, 2023

There has been a “strong resurgence of career and technical education programs in manufacturing,” according to Jackie Burke, executive director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools. The organization and its 21 member districts “are helping to build a pipeline of next-generation manufacturing employees by both spreading awareness about the field, including what it is and the growing career opportunities in it, as well as expanding training programs to help students prepare for these opportunities,” Burke added.