100% employed: New Jersey Healthcare Employers District 1199J’s Training Fund and local county college partner to meet the need for more CNAs

CORRECTION: This story has been revised to accurately reflect New Jersey Healthcare Employers District 1199J’s involvement in the program.

Newark, New Jersey -- For another year, 100 percent of young people have been placed in apprenticeships with major hospitals and medical centers across New Jersey, thanks to New Jersey Healthcare Employers District 1199J, New Jersey’s original healthcare union, and its partnership with Training Inc., Essex County College. The group of 10 youths - four men and six women - are currently employed at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; Daughters of Israel in West Orange; St. Ann’s Nursing Home in Jersey City; and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Jersey City.

Since 2008, 1199J has provided pre-apprenticeship opportunities that connect young people with mentors in the medical field as they pursue certifications along the CNA career path. Training Inc., Essex County College provides young people with certified nursing assistant training (CNA).

According to Dr. Stephanie Harris-Kuiper, Executive Director of District 1199J AFSCME Training and Development Fund, “We always mentor our students because we understand that just giving someone a certification doesn’t mean they’re going to be successful, so we make sure that we’re there to assist them, provide them those soft-skills development and professional development.”

Starting in June, participants attend a Summer Bridge Program at 1199J to get their reading and writing skills up to college-level. Following their summer-long program, young people begin their CNA certification at Training Inc. in August. 1199J then places each young person in an apprenticeship where they continue their professional learning and development at union-affiliated and non-affiliated hospitals and health centers across New Jersey. 

While in their part-time apprenticeship, young people are also encouraged to register for at least 13.5 college credits at local colleges in Essex, Union and Hudson counties and many more to support their post-secondary education. Finally, when young people complete their 2000 hours of training, plus 144 hours of related technical instruction, they receive a career credential from the US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeships.

Mentorship is built into 1199J’s approach, so young people are surrounded by professional guides as well as academic supports around registration, socio-emotional health and any housing or financial support students may need. 

Training Inc., Essex County College is a member of the Newark Youth Workforce Collaborative, Newark’s first collective approach to creating a school-to-workforce pipeline. And as the backbone of the Collaborative, Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN) works to support its partner programs with data, strategy and fundraising.

The program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor, is currently limited to 20 applicants per session, due to limited funding and the high demand for instructors. The success of the 1199J program is largely attributed to its investment in a support system for young people while growing their skillset. Not only are young people working toward an in-demand career pathway, but they’re also developing their soft skills as professionals.

“The system is challenging to navigate, so that’s where we come in,” Dr. Harris-Kuiper. “We walk them through this process. We try to break down those barriers, so they don’t get discouraged from applying themselves and exploring new career pathways.”