Christopher Gioffre, service director at Ray Catena Auto Group, has been integral in hiring Automotive Technology students from Middlesex County Magnet Schools for work-based learning. He has helped provide students with valuable experiences working on luxury vehicles alongside skilled mentors. Such experiences complement students’ high school curricula to boost their skill sets, enhance their resumes and further prepare them for employment.
Gioffre has also hired students upon graduation, and many continue to work for Ray Catena Auto Group.
Middlesex County Magnet Schools recognized Gioffre’s commitment to supporting the next generation by naming him the 2023 Business Partner of the Year.
“This partnership is invaluable to both our organization and the students. The need for auto technicians is at an all-time high currently and this relationship helps us build a strong team of future associates that are guided and trained the right way to ensure they have a bright future with strong financial possibilities. We have been tremendously successful to date with this process and expect continued success going forward,” said Gioffre.
Gioffre has been a quality partner and mentor for Middlesex County Magnet Schools’ pre-apprenticeship in career education grant program since 2019. He visits the high school’s automotive shops and gives presentations on careers in the field. Gioffre also has a role on the Automotive Technology program’s advisory board. He visits the students and then invites them to join him at Ray Catena Auto Group to further explore career options through work-based learning.
“I feel it is extremely important for the Ray Catena Auto Group to foster a relationship with the Middlesex County Magnet Schools and assist in increasing the awareness to the students of the opportunities available in the automotive industry,” added Gioffre. “We provide real-time training and guidance in a variety of positions at our dealerships while the students are still in school as part of the work-based learning program. This allows students the opportunity to enhance their skills in an on-the-job environment and get paid as well.”
“As the rigor around work-based learning increases in the state of New Jersey, Middlesex County Magnet Schools is grateful for the opportunities provided by quality partners like Christopher Gioffre of Ray Catena,” said Adam Recktenwald, supervisor of Career and Technical Education for the county vocational-technical school. “Christopher has been an active partner in pursuing and delivering work-based learning for Middlesex County Magnet Schools’ Automotive Technology students in ways that foster their careers and put them on paths to success. Mr. Gioffre looks at our students and sees the talent needed to assess and repair complex luxury vehicles. He values our students’ potential and creates pathways for their success, and for that we are very thankful.”
