Cumberland County Technical Education Center (CCTEC) has developed a partnership with Garton’s Rigging, located in Vineland, that exemplifies a key strength of career and technical education: presenting real-world learning opportunities with industry involvement. Garton’s has provided CCTEC Construction and Automotive Technology students with firsthand experiences that promote skills and knowledge in the technical, safety and teamwork aspects of the rigging and heavy-equipment industries. CCTEC recognizes the support Garton’s Rigging offers and has named the company its 2025 Business Partner of the Year.
Garton’s Rigging and CCTEC have strengthened their partnership over the years. Today, the company helps mentor, train and develop CCTEC students into employable, skilled professionals through their participation in the School-to-Work program.
Garton’s Rigging has welcomed five CCTEC students to apply classroom learning to industry settings under the supervision of the company’s skilled professionals. Two current students, Dominic Porreca and Dominic Santiago, are gaining valuable on-the-job experience under the direct mentorship of Carter Schaffer, a 2025 CCTEC graduate who is now employed by Garton’s Rigging. This mentorship model reflects CCTEC’s vision of creating sustainable career pathways, where alumni become industry mentors.
“Garton’s Rigging represents everything that makes our School-to-Work program successful with mentorship, opportunity and community partnership,” said CCTEC Career Pathways Coordinator Jim McCarthy. “Watching CCTEC graduates like Carter Schaffer train and guide current students like Dominic Porreca and Dominic Santiago shows the full-circle impact of career education. Garton’s has gone above and beyond to provide our students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that lead directly to career success.”
In addition to mentorship and job placements, Garton’s Rigging has demonstrated exceptional generosity and commitment to student success through its scholarship contributions. In the last three years, Garton’s has provided $14,000 in scholarships to CCTEC students. These scholarships provide meaningful financial support to CCTEC graduates pursuing further education or directly entering the workforce.
