Mechanical Contractors Association of NJ expands "ACE" mentor program

Real Estate Weekly, August 20, 2003

The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey (MCANJ), a member of the New Jersey State Building and Construction Trades Labor Management Council (LMC), has redefined one of America's most successful academic-based career advisement programs. Utilizing the traditional model for the Architecture, Construction, Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program, Inc., the MCANJ has expanded the program to include building trades within five municipalities statewide and plans to grow the program further this year and in 2004.

"In New Jersey, this venture has expanded the original concept in order to reach out to high school students who are more likely to choose a trade profession," says John Woodman, executive director of the ACE Mentor Program in New Jersey. "Our goal is to make teenagers more aware of the various opportunities available to them for not just a job, but a career."

The MCA/ACE Mentor Program is an extension of the ACE Mentor Program, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by some of America's leading design and construction firms to provide mentoring opportunities for high school students considering careers in architecture, construction, engineering or related fields. In general, the ACE program targets college-bound students. Nationally, some 1,900 students are enrolled in ACE Mentoring Programs, most of them on the professional track.

New Jersey's building trade program, which includes a collaboration with the New Jersey State Pipe Trades Association, currently includes more than 90 young men and women enrolled in five ACE chapters in Newark, Jersey City, Perth Amboy, Piscataway/ New Brunswick and Paterson. Plans for similar programs in Orange and Elizabeth are currently underway. The MCA/ACE concept was established following an ACE scholarship breakfast in 2001, to include students attracted to building trade careers. The program was founded by Michael Candido, MCANJ president, and Alan O'Shea, executive director.

According to O'Shea, plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC and refrigeration service are emphasized during the comprehensive 10-week program.

"The curriculum includes basic presentations and instruction in workplace fundamentals; visits to an apprenticeship training program and job sites; and mock interviews," he said.

"The MCA/ACE program offers students first-hand knowledge of what a career in the mechanical trades would involve."