From left are Rachel De Paola, Vanessa Aguirre, Grace Glenn, and Salvatore Minardi at the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce. DePaola, Aguirre and Glenn are alumni of the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) Cosmetology Program and employed at Salvatore Minardi Salon. The Madison Chamber presented the Wellness & Beauty Award to Salvatore Minardi Salon in recognition of its commitment to “Creating Today’s Beauty” through excellence in health, beauty, and community well-being. Photo credit: Salvatore Minardi Salon
The Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) partners with local businesses in an effort to provide high school students with hands-on training, real-world experiences and career pathways, preparing them for future careers and supporting economic growth.
Scott Shaw, director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), Morris County Vocational School District, said, “To provide students with real-world experiences, the district partners with regional employers who offer work based learning opportunities. These business and industry collaborations influence career readiness while also supporting economic development.
“An example is Salvatore Minardi Salon in Madison,” said Shaw. “The salon is one of Morris County School District’s high impact partners because in addition to serving on our advisory council, they also provide work based learning placements, mentorship, and training for students in the district’s cosmetology program.”
Salvatore Minardi, owner of Salvatore Minardi Salon, said, “I see firsthand how valuable hands-on learning is for developing young professionals. Working with MCVSD students allows us to nurture their passion and skills, preparing them not just for a job, but for a rewarding career in cosmetology. It’s incredibly gratifying to watch these students grow in confidence and ability, knowing we’re helping to shape the future of our industry.”
“Some former students are now fully licensed professionals, contributing meaningfully to the local economy, either by continuing to work with us or branching out to build their own client bases in other salons,” said Minardi. “Their earnings have allowed them to invest back into our community supporting our neighboring small businesses, and inspiring younger students by example.”
The Morris County Vocational School District offers numerous Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that target high-demand sectors across Morris County. This career-focused training combined with academics is designed to prepare students with employability skills needed to gain direct entry into the workforce after graduation.
Meghan Hunscher, president & CEO Morris County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation, stated, “To help foster partnerships and advance the local workforce agenda, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) are committed to strengthening the connections between business and industry and educational institutions by providing forums for local companies and educational institutions to connect.”
To learn more about MCVSD, email Gina DiDomenico, Student Recruitment & Community Relations, at didomenicog@mcvts.org or visit www.mcvts.org.
This article originally appeared Sept. 3, 2025 in New Jersey Hills.
