Akeen Downes – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Culinary Arts Students to Focus on Businesses After Graduation

Michelle Lang — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:48:19 +0000

Shawnette Maxwell and Zariyah Derrick both have a passion for cooking that they are hoping to turn into full-time careers. Both have started businesses where they sell their food and both decided to enroll in the Culinary Arts Specialist program at to enhance their skills and earn a certification to prove their culinary knowledge to future clients.

Both women are serious about their culinary careers. They quit their jobs to attend NCCTI and pursue their passion. They both got their start cooking early in life, learning the basics of cooking as children. They found joy in it and knew they wanted to take their skills to the next level.

Derrick’s sister and cousin both attended NCCTI and had positive experiences. Her sister earned her high school diploma through the High School Equivalency/GED program and then received a health care certification. Her cousin also completed a health care program. They both encouraged her to earn a culinary certification at the school.

Maxwell first learned about NCCTI in the Clarion newsletter and decided to inquire about the school after seeing its sign along South Orange Avenue.

Both are happy with their decision to enroll in the program.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Maxwell said, explaining how Instructor Samuel Gaddy helped her master gravy making and taught her the importance of having a variety of cutting boards for specific purposes.

Derrick said the program taught her how to correctly use all the cooking equipment and the importance of details.

“I knew how to do big things. But the small things I didn’t know. Like carving the fat off of a big roast,” she said. “I never took the skin and properly shaved it off.”

The women have excelled in the program.

“Both Ms. Maxwell and Ms. Derrick are exceptionally skilled women in culinary cooking. Their talents shine brightly when they prepare to showcase their unique entrees for their classmates to taste,” Gaddy said. “More than often, compliments are thrown their way by Extended Care kitchen staff, fellow students and myself.”

Instead of just searching for employment after graduation, Maxwell and Derrick plan to ramp up their businesses. Maxwell operates . She specializes in Caribbean cuisine but will prepare any type of food that is requested. She caters a variety of events, including birthday parties, weddings and cookouts. She currently operates an Instagram business page and plans to create a website soon. She’s also working toward getting a food truck and possibly a storefront down the line.

Derrick sells soul food by the plate through her Instagram page . She doesn’t want to limit herself to that type of cuisine, however. She hopes to attend a culinary school in Europe to broaden her horizons and gain even more experience.

Maxwell and Derrick’s drive to succeed shines through to staff members. NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray is happy that the school has been able to put both women on the path to success.

“As a friend of mine, Jon Jernigan, Chef of , stated, ‘We look for people who have a passion for cooking and are wanting to change their situation.’ That is exactly what we found with these two ladies,” McCray said. “They are determined to change their outcomes through hard work and determination, and NCCTI is here to help them do that. I am excited to see what they will do next.”

NCCTI Financial Coach Akeen Downes said Maxwell and Derrick are promising students.

“They exceed expectations in the quality of their work as Culinary Arts students and businesswomen by ensuring they are present, engaged and take initiative to complete the task at hand,” Downes said. “I am confident that both ladies will continue to thrive in their career path as they warm the hearts of many with their wonderful cuisines.”

NCCTI Career Services Coordinator Chanda Webb said she admires their enthusiasm for cooking and their entrepreneurial spirit, as well as their positive attitudes.

“When these two stop by the office, they bring smiles and laughter with them,” Webb said. “I really wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

While Maxwell and Derrick are excited to complete the culinary program in April, they will miss coming to school each day, particularly because of the bonds they have formed with classmates and staff members.

“I got extended family,” Derrick said. “These are women I know I could call even if I’m not in the program. Anybody in the office could help me with anything and I could talk to them. I’m going to miss them when we leave.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician and Culinary Arts Specialist. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Student Uses Building Trades Specialist Program to Launch Career After Incarceration

Michelle Lang — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:50:20 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helps students of all ages and circumstances reach their goals. Andre Moore is 47 years old and is currently residing in a halfway house. While others living in the facility were looking for jobs, Moore decided he wanted to enroll in a trade school to learn valuable skills that could help him launch a career after his release date.

Moore is currently enrolled in NCCTI’s Building Trades Specialist program with aspirations to use the knowledge and skills he gains to become a business owner in the construction industry. He began the program in October and is on track to graduate in the spring. His release date from the halfway house is Oct. 27, 2023.

Ever since he was in his early 20s, Moore has wanted to gain the skills to build his own house. While in prison, he learned masonry and wanted to build upon that with a trade school, which is how he settled on the Building Trades Specialist program at NCCTI. He enjoys the program and is learning a lot.

“I love it here,” he said.

Moore said that his instructor, Yusto Awich, is one of the best teachers he has ever had. He said Awich makes learning fun and challenges his students to help them reach their full potential. Awich has even helped Moore look up civil engineering programs, which he is researching for potential enrollment after graduation.

Awich said he is happy to have Moore in his class.

“Andre’s dedicated, on time and willing to learn and explore more than he’s taught,” Awich said.

As a Building Trades Specialist student, Moore is also part of the , which is a partnership between NCCTI and that aims to introduce students to a variety of aspects of the construction industry and connect them to job opportunities. Rising Stars, run by Tremco employee David Hutchinson, brings guest speakers from the industry to the class weekly to discuss their areas of expertise and answer questions.

“It shows you what you’re capable of doing and what’s a possibility,” Moore said of Rising Stars.

Moore said the earning potential in the building trades industry is unlimited.

“The income you’re capable of generating within the industry that this class teaches, there’s no ceiling to it unless you put a ceiling on yourself,” he said.

NCCTI aims to help individuals, regardless of their circumstances, fulfill their goals and put them on a path to success.

“NCCTI sees its students and believes in its students. In our ability to fully see students, we are able to tailor instruction or address needs accordingly. We see Mr. Moore as the purpose-driven person that he has displayed himself to be upon starting the program,” said NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray. “We will continue to teach, expand and challenge him to meet his goal of obtaining a Building Trades Specialist diploma.”

The mindset of providing individual assistance comes through. Moore said staff members have gone above and beyond to help him sign up for the program and address any issues he has had.

“The staff has been there for me every step of the way,” he said.

According to NCCTI staff members, Moore has shown that he is serious about his studies and completing the program.

“Mr. Moore is an enthusiastic, polite and devoted individual who has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve,” said NCCTI Financial Coach Akeen Downes. “He exhibits a positive attitude both inside and outside of the classroom. We are proud that he continues to be resilient and motivated while working towards his certification.”

In addition to becoming a business owner, Moore has a plan to offer more affordable housing in Newark, where he was born and raised. With his skills, he would be able to convert dilapidated and abandoned houses owned by the city into usable homes, which he says would be a win for families in need of affordable housing and for the city, which would be able to collect taxes on the properties.

Moore plans to maintain a relationship with NCCTI after graduation and use it as a source for workers.

“When I do make it, I know NCCTI’s a place that I can pull prospective and future employees from because I know what Mr. Yusto offers to a student who’s enrolled in the program,” he said.

Moore is optimistic about the future. He looks forward to completing the Building Trades Specialist program and putting his plans into practice.

“Now I can move forward in life and become the success that I was always meant to be,” he said.