Cooper University Health Care, based in Camden, has welcomed students from the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program at Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS) for work-based learning opportunities. The program is unique in that students learn in a health care setting but receive a non-clinical education., Instead, they gain important knowledge training in a highly specific setting, where HVAC systems are critical to maintaining a desirable environment for employees, patients and equipment.
This onsite learning program was facilitated by Antoinette Fugee, workplace development consultant for Cooper. Her efforts earned both her and Cooper University Health Care the title of CCTS’ 2024 Business Partner of the Year.
“I’m truly honored to be named Business Partner of the Year,” said Fugee. “This recognition reflects the outstanding collaboration between Camden County Technical Schools and Cooper University Health Care. Our success is a direct result of the dedication of CCTS leadership, staff, and students, all of whom are committed to student growth and future success. The proactive, forward-thinking approach of Cooper and the CCTS team has made our partnership truly impactful. I look forward to continuing our work together and building on the strong foundation we’ve established.”
Fugee assisted in creating an agreement between CCTS and Cooper to enable the students to provide HVAC-related services to all of Cooper Health’s 56 locations in Camden County.
“Antoinette has been a valued partner to CCTS as an industry professional and as a parent of students who attended or attend the school,” said Wanda Pichardo, superintendent at CCTS. “She is one of our biggest cheerleaders who has taken her support to the next level with this affiliation agreement.”
About 30 CCTS students participate in the HVAC program, and Cooper Health’s own professionals in the HVAC industry have committed to advising all of them, as well as CCTS instructors. Cooper hopes that the interactions, especially during the work-based learning, lead CCTS students to secure full-time employment with the hospital system.
