High School Equivalency – 91��Ƭ

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute Celebrates the Class of 2025

Michelle Lang — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 16:30:49 +0000

hosted graduation on June 27 at Monsignor William J. Linder Plaza, 233 West Market St., Newark. Students who completed the Automotive Technician, Building Trades Specialist, High School Equivalency, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician programs were honored during the ceremony.

91��Ƭ Interim Board Chairman Edgar Nemorin welcomed graduates and thanked them for trusting NCCTI to provide their education.

“I admire your strength, perseverance and will in getting through this technical school year and mastering your craft,” he said.

91��Ƭ CEO Simone Gagneron reminded graduates that their journey doesn’t end with obtaining their certificates and that they are always welcome back to the organization, especially since they have made friends and family during the course of their studies. She also encouraged them to continue on the trajectory of making positive choices.

“You said yes to advancing your career. You said yes to making a difference in your lives and making a difference in the lives of your family and making a difference in the lives of your community,” she said. “And everything else from here on out is a yes. No one can tell you no.”

Newark West Ward Councilman Dupré Kelly served as the keynote speaker and told graduates to remember that the journey is just as important as the destination.

“This achievement is just a testament to the fact that a dream, no matter how big, can be realized with dedication and determination. Today we don’t just celebrate your academic milestones and your technical milestones. We honor your resilience. Each of you have faced distinct challenges,” he said. “Yet you are still here and ready to take on the world.”

Kelly also reminded graduates that they are the reason for their success and that success isn’t defined by the type of work that they do. He said success has more to do with the impact you make on those around you.

“I’m excited to see how you bring your skills and passion to not only Newark, N.J., but to the world,” he said.

Two graduates spoke to their peers and supporters during the ceremony. Simone Parkes, who completed the Medical Assistant Clinical program, quit a full-time job to become a student and also married, became a stepmom and became a mom to an infant. She juggled her family responsibilities with studying and is grateful for her family’s support and to NCCTI for helping her excel. She currently works in a pediatric office and draws on the knowledge she learned from the program when speaking with patients and their parents during appointments.

“I’m beyond proud of our accomplishments. You never know how much impact you have on others. You’re amazing,” she said. “Continue pouring that positive energy into other people.”

Automotive Technician graduate Shareif Gilmer spoke about the challenges of growing up without a mother or a father. After finishing high school, he obtained a CDL license to support his family and decided to enroll in NCCTI to further his career. His current role has him maintaining medical transportation vehicles.

“It has been a race worth finishing. I have had the pleasure of meeting people from all walks of life, which is the reason for encouraging all of you to be the best you can be,” he said. “I encourage you all to continue paving the many ways to your success.”

NCCTI Career Services Coordinator Chanda Webb presented employer partners and with awards for their ongoing support, providing students with tours and information and for hiring graduates.

University Hospital Manager of Recruitment Patient Care Services Claudia Alves said the relationship is changing lives, shaping the community and shows what is possible when organizations come together with a common goal.

“By partnering with NCC, University Hospital is helping to create a direct bridge between education and employment,” she said. “The program doesn’t just train workers. It builds careers, strengthens families and uplifts the entire neighborhood.”

Newark Community Health Centers Inc. Human Resources Recruiter Kobie Brown said his company has hired more than 28 NCCTI graduates from both medical programs and looks forward to welcoming even more in the future.

“It’s a pleasure for us to be here to serve our community and help see you guys grow as individuals,” he said.

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that is currently enrolling for the following programs: Automotive Technician, Medical Assistant Clinical and Patient Care Technician. For more information, call 973-824-6484, email nccti@newcommunity.org, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

From 91��Ƭ Student to Adult Learning Center Director

Michelle Lang — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 19:49:50 +0000

Cristhian Barcelos can relate to the students he serves as Director of the 91��Ƭ Adult Learning Center. He was in their shoes in 2001 when he was a student taking English classes at 91��Ƭ. From there, he became a volunteer, a computer teacher and ultimately director.

In his current role, Barcelos oversees the Adult Learning Center, which offers educational programs to individuals who are 16 and older and out of the school system. Courses include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), Pre-High School Equivalency (HSE), HSE, Computers and Citizenship. Day, evening and Saturday classes are available for students.

In addition to the classes, the Adult Learning Center invites outside agencies to provide services for students, including vaccinations, eye exams and nutrition programs.

“Any and every program that we can get our hands on that is willing to come and do their services here, we coordinate that,” Barcelos said.

Adult education is important to Barcelos since he utilized those services when he came to the United States in 2001 from Uruguay. Although he knew some English when he arrived, he needed to become more proficient and heard about 91��Ƭ’s program. He enrolled and after he finished taking classes, he began volunteering at the end of 2002 because NCC’s mission statement resonated with him. He later became an instructor, teaching Microsoft Office to students, and eventually took over as director.

Barcelos’ favorite part of his job is watching students achieve their goals.

“You find those that need the help and are open to being helped and you see them moving through the different steps,” he said. “That makes my day.”

Barcelos’ commitment to the students and 91��Ƭ’s mission shines through.

“Cristhian is a passionate director who cares about the Adult Learning Center’s participants, its staff and the program’s results,” said 91��Ƭ Chief Operating Officer Fred Hunter.

In addition to his work with the Adult Learning Center, Barcelos also serves as Executive Director of and as President of .

He has always had a busy work schedule. In his home country of Uruguay, Barcelos managed a modeling agency that required much more than a 40-hour workweek. He decided to leave that life behind and joined his father in the United States before moving into his own attic apartment after nine months.

Barcelos now owns a home in Belleville and enjoys working with his hands in his spare time. He likes to grow bonsai trees and creates intricate wood carvings, many depicting birds.

91��Ƭ Helps Young Woman from Homelessness to a Medical Career

Michelle Lang — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 19:46:35 +0000

Ilene Villanueva has always wanted to work in the medical field. She said even as a child, people would seek her out for help translating or other tasks when she would go to doctor appointments or the emergency room.

Her hopes of becoming a doctor seemed out of reach when she became a mother at a young age and was unable to finish high school. She worked for a catering service and at a pharmacy in New York before moving to New Jersey. She found herself in a situation where her landlord only wanted rent payments in cash and he wouldn’t provide a lease. He changed the locks and she ended up homeless with her children.

Villanueva then found Harmony House, 91��Ƭ’s transitional housing facility for homeless families. She spent time there in 2017 and 2018 before moving to permanent housing. Harmony House employees informed her that 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) offered a High School Equivalency (HSE) program, which was conveniently located right next door. She took advantage of the opportunity and earned her GED in 2018.

While in the HSE program, Villanueva learned about the accredited post-secondary medical programs NCCTI offered. She decided to enroll in the Medical Assistant Clinical (MAC) program to put herself on the path to a career.

The recent death of Villanueva’s father renewed her interest in a medical career.

“I thought, I really want to go into the medical field so that I can be able to be one person to change it, to be there for the people,” she said.

She completed the MAC program in 2020 and began working full-time at University Hospital in April of this year as an ambulatory care technician. In that role, she takes patients’ vitals; provides customer service to patients; schedules, cancels and reminds patients about appointments; and discharges patients.

Villanueva said she enjoys the first job of her medical career.

“I’ve gotten way farther than other people that have been working there for years. And that’s all thanks to the school because they taught me,” she said.

At age 29, Villanueva hopes to continue her education and become a registered nurse.

Her journey shows how NCCTI can serve as a bridge to get students where they ultimately want to be.

“NCCTI provides the stepping stones for students to create a foundational layer for them to expand upon or build up from,” said NCCTI Director Dr. Sylvia McCray. “The work we do here is to blow life back into a dead dream or a buried goal. We know the way to improve one’s life and circumstances begins with education and training. That is our main goal. Our mission is to push students so they can see what we see: opportunity, growth and choice for themselves.”

Odette Phillip was one of Villanueva’s HSE instructors who helped her earn her GED.

“At first, it was a challenge for her in terms of attendance due to the fact that she had limited support out of school. She pushed through this by staying after classes when she could to catch up on missed work. Ilene did her best and I admire her determination,” Phillip said. “I am really proud of her achievements thus far.”

Villanueva said Phillip, her MAC instructor and everyone else she encountered at 91��Ƭ helped her.

“They actually cared and said I see what you’re going through. I want to be here. I’m open ears and open hands and open information. Everything they could think of, they would always push me to do it,” Villanueva said. “They’ve been there for me like you couldn’t imagine. At my lowest, they were there. They didn’t judge me. And they helped me.”

In addition to being happy about going to school and starting a career she’s passionate about, Villanueva is proud to be a good role model for her four children.

“My kids have seen the steps I’ve been taking so they’ve been trying to do the same thing,” she said. “So everybody’s been coming home with honor roll certificates.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Medical Assistant Clinical, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business & Computer Technologies. 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.

NCCTI Student Earns High School Diploma & Culinary Arts Certification

Michelle Lang — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 15:23:39 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) helps students begin careers with a strong educational foundation. The school offers a program for young people to earn their high school diplomas and then obtain certifications in a desirable field.

Newark resident Messiah Anderson attended NCCTI, earning a high school diploma and culinary arts certifications. She now has a job as a certified trainer at a restaurant.

Anderson was introduced to NCCTI when she was 16. She had dropped out of high school and her mother suggested she join Job Corps, which is a program that helps eligible young people complete their high school education, trains them for careers and assists them with obtaining employment throughout the United States. When Anderson went to fill out the Job Corps application with her mother, she met Aziza Johnson, who serves as the admissions representative for NCCTI.

“When we went downtown to fill out the application we met Ms. Johnson who was there filling out her own paperwork,” Anderson said.

Johnson shared information about NCCTI with Anderson’s mother who was a bit skeptical at first. As they continued their conversation in the Job Corps office, Johnson soon won over Anderson and her mother’s trust, promising she would watch out for Anderson and help her if she attended NCCTI’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program. From there, Anderson enrolled.

The start of her journey at NCCTI began with getting her high school diploma.

“I dropped out of high school my freshman year,” Anderson said.

She spoke about being a troubled teen and not even wanting to go to school. But attending the HSE program ultimately changed Anderson’s life for the better.

“A lot of jobs you can’t even work without a high school diploma, and the HSE instructor, Ms. Phillip, helped me,” she said.

Anderson shared how grateful she was for how NCCTI staff members stepped in during hard times, particularly HSE instructor Odette Phillip.

“At the time me and my mother were going through so much and Ms. Phillip gave me that motherly love that made me enjoy coming to school, and coming to her class.”

While she was in the program to earn her high school diploma, Anderson noticed the many career and technical programs NCCTI had to offer, with one standing out to her.

“I always was highly fond of being in a kitchen,” she said. “Growing up, at a young age, I used to always be in the kitchen with my great grandmother cooking with her.”

Anderson decided to continue her education at NCCTI in the Culinary Arts Specialist program. She said, “I always had a dream to cook,” and once she found out that there was a culinary program she was even more determined to get her high school diploma so that she could enroll in the culinary classes.

The Culinary Arts Specialist program launched Anderson into a culinary career. After completing the program, she became an entry-level cook at a restaurant. After excelling in that role, she was promoted to a certified trainer, which means she now trains new hires. There is also the possibility of her getting promoted further.

“It was so hands-on, and I felt like that was the best way for me to learn. It made me the person I am today,” Anderson said of the Culinary Arts Specialist program. “It helped me build my character, respect authority and so many other different things.”

Though the outcome was positive, it wasn’t always easy for Anderson.

“When I first started NCCTI, I didn’t want to be there, I didn’t want to listen to anybody, I didn’t want to go to school at all,” she said. “Because I dropped out of high school my freshman year, it was hard because I didn’t really understand the material. The way I got through it, once again was Ms. Phillip. She talked to me, she didn’t treat me like I was a kid. Even though I was like 16 at the time, she treated me like I was an adult so it was easy for me to come to her and talk to her. I’m giving all the credit to Ms. Phillip.”

Anderson is grateful she met Johnson and took the course she did.

“I remember when I first saw Ms. Johnson, and how she’s the reason why I didn’t get shipped off anywhere to go to school,” Anderson said. “Because of her, I was able to stay home and go to school.”

She raved about the entire NCCTI staff, including NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton and support staff.

“From Ms. Phillip to Ms. Johnson to the security guard at the front desk to Mr. Rodney, everybody, it was just marvelous,” said Anderson.

When asked to give some words of wisdom to someone who may be in the shoes of her past, Anderson gave this advice: “It’s a lot of people in this world that’s going to try to knock you down, and try to make you feel as though you’re not able to do it but the only thing that can make you do it is yourself, the only person that can knock you down is yourself. You’re also the only person that can pick you up.”

As for the future, Anderson hopes to exercise her entrepreneurial spirit and open up her own catering business.

“I recently started writing out my business plan. I’ve been dreaming of starting my own catering business for a very long time, so sooner or later I will be having my own catering business,” she said.

91��Ƭ Helps Young Woman Achieve Dream of Automotive Career

Michelle Lang — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 19:07:00 +0000

Maa Efia Nyarkoa Ampiaw has always been interested in cars and decided she wanted to become a professional technician. The road to that career path has taken some time, but thanks to 91��Ƭ and her hard work, she has achieved her goal.

Ampiaw first came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017. She moved to Newark with her grandfather and enrolled in 91��Ƭ’s Adult Learning Center. After successfully completing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Levels 1 and 2 and the High School Equivalency (HSE) course, she enrolled in the Diesel Technician program at 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), where she learned the skills necessary to become both a diesel and automotive technician.

She graduated from the program in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the area. Despite that challenge, Ampiaw began her job search and didn’t give up. Her persistence paid off. Staff at NCCTI helped arrange an interview with Bridgestone-Firestone and she was hired as an automotive technician at the Linden location in January 2021.

“Maa Efia is a very hardworking and determined young lady who epitomizes what 91��Ƭ can provide through our organizational comprehensive services,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. “She earned her high school diploma through our Adult Learning Center, received excellent vocational skills training through our Diesel Technician program and was able to connect to a nice job opportunity with Bridgestone-Firestone Automotive Repair Center to start her career in the automotive and diesel industry.”

In her role, Ampiaw has a variety of responsibilities, including fixing tires and performing oil changes. She enjoys the work and the atmosphere at her job.

“If you don’t understand something, they are there to help and you learn more,” she said. “Everybody helps each other.”

Staff members at Bridgestone-Firestone are happy to have her on board.

“Maa has been a wonderful addition to our team here at Firestone in Linden, N.J. She has a terrific attitude which makes it easy to work with her,” said Store Manager Shane Allen. “Maa is dependable, punctual and very eager to learn, all attributes which will bring her success now and throughout her career in the automotive industry.”

The world of professional technicians is dominated by men, but that hasn’t stopped Ampiaw from pursuing her dream. She is the only female at her current job, but she hopes more women enter the field if they are passionate about it.

“Sometimes it’s tough because everywhere you look, there are guys,” she said. “I pray that it will change. When I was at NCCTI, there were four females. I had three in my class and one in the auto class.”

Ampiaw’s advice for others is for them to follow their dreams and work hard.

“Whatever you’re doing, give it 100 percent,” she said.

She has followed her own advice. Maureen Cooper was her instructor at the Adult Learning Center, teaching an all-inclusive HSE class, and knew Ampiaw could accomplish her goals.

“Maa Efia entered my classroom with a friendly smile and a whisper but by the end of the class session, she was a strong positive force,” Cooper said. “When she returned for the second session, she was on a mission; get her HSE Diploma, get a skill and get a good-paying job. It was never a question of if, just when.”

Brutton believes that this is the first step in what will be a successful career for Ampiaw, citing her work ethic and mechanical skills that she learned from NCCTI instructors John Zaccheus and Winston Thomas.

“The opportunity at Bridgestone-Firestone is just the beginning of Maa Efia’s long-term career in the automotive repair industry,” Brutton said. “She’s destined for greatness.”

Ampiaw is grateful for the education she received at both the Adult Learning Center and NCCTI. She also took advantage of 91��Ƭ’s Financial Opportunity Center where Financial Coach Tamara Brown helped her set and achieve financial goals. Ampiaw recommends 91��Ƭ programs and services to others.

“I really thank them for helping me achieve my dream,” she said. “And they’re still there for me no matter the circumstances.”

NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. 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.

The Adult Learning Center serves students 16 and older and out of the school system with a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs in order to prepare them for a vocational or college education. For more information, call 973-558-5536 or visit newcommunity.org. The school is located at 563 Orange St., Newark, but classes are currently being conducted via Google Meet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

NCCTI Offers Free High School Equivalency Program for Ages 16-24

Michelle Lang — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:17:36 +0000

In addition to offering post-secondary career and technical programs, 91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) also has a High School Equivalency (HSE) program to help individuals earn their high school diploma. The program is available for free to individuals ages 16 to 24.

Part of the Bridges to Career Opportunities initiative, the HSE program aims to help each student advance at least one academic grade level and, ultimately, obtain a high school diploma and transition into a post-secondary institution.

Classes take place at the NCCTI Main Campus, 274 South Orange Ave., Newark, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those interested in the program should call 973-824-6484. The full flyer is available here.