Mercer County Technical Schools’ (MCTS) Electrical and HVAC programs, as well as Adult Evening School programs, benefit from the support and opportunities for continued learning provided by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ( I.B.E.W.) Local 269. The relationship between MCTS and Local 269 developed and has grown stronger as both partners work toward the shared goal of ensuring the next generation of electrical workers is as highly skilled and qualified as the previous one. Recognizing the value of having such a dedicated supporter in Local 269, MCTS recently awarded the Trenton-based union with its 2023 Business Partner of the Year honor.
“Local 269 is a legacy partner with our district that embraces and supports students on both a secondary and postsecondary level,” said Dave Nash, work-based learning coordinator for MCTS.
I.B.E.W. Local 269 is a member of the MCTS General Advisory Council to consult on curriculum and training for students to ensure they are best prepared to enter the workforce. In addition to providing guidance and collaborating with MCTS’ Electrical program instructor, members have arranged for multiple tours of their training facility each year, served as guest speakers and helped judge SkillsUSA competitions.
MCTS sees Local 269’s training facility as a model to emulate on campus for students’ learning and skill development. Having cohesiveness among the school’s training program and that of Local 269 also helps facilitate a seamless transition for students who enter the Local 269’s apprenticeship program. MCTS encourages students to apply to that program as soon as they are eligible to begin along a pathway that sets them up for future success in electrical work.
“When we have an applicant for our apprenticeship program who has come through the Mercer County Technical Schools through the Electrical, HVAC or one of the Adult Evening School programs, we know what we can expect from them,” said Jayson Maksymovich, training director for I.B.E.W. 269’s Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. “They come prepared ready to work and ready to learn. We know that they have a very solid foundation in electrical theory from their in-classroom learning as well as a strong understanding of what will be expected from them when working in the field for one of our contractors from the hands-on training that MCTS incorporates into their programs. Both MCTS and I.B.E.W. 269 have a strong commitment to have a diverse and inclusive culture. This can be seen through MCTS’ diversified enrollment as well as through I.B.E.W. 269’s commitment to have a diverse and inclusive apprenticeship program. I look forward to our continued collaboration for years to come and I.B.E.W. 269 will continue to assist MCTS and its students in any way possible.”
