Rich Liebler – 91��Ƭ

NCCTI Hosts Press Conference for Gov. McGreevey and NJ Reentry Corporation

Michelle Lang — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 15:09:39 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) hosted former Gov. James McGreevey and New Jersey Reentry Corporation for a press conference highlighting the partnership between the organizations, along with Sansone Automall and the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR). Representatives from the groups gathered at the NCCTI Training Center, 210 West Bigelow St., Newark, Oct. 29 to talk about successes and how providing reentry clients an education in the automotive field can lead to lucrative careers and prevent recidivism.

McGreevey explained that New Jersey Reentry Corporation clients are eligible for Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grants, which provide funding so they can receive the training needed prior to obtaining an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships often require a degree or other academic background, which can be a barrier for reentry clients.

“This pre-apprenticeship program is changing lives,” McGreevey said.

91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman said partnering with New Jersey Reentry Corporation to provide training is a good fit for the organization.

“We’re thrilled to be part of this partnership. I think the core of our mission statement is dignity, it’s personal achievement and it’s really self reliance. And that’s what this program is all about,” he said. “We really appreciate being a part of it. It goes right to our mission.”

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said, “NCCTI is committed to providing opportunities for all our students and looks forward to working with our partners at NJRC.”

Current Automotive Technician student Darrell Armstrong said he went with the crowd in his younger years but now realizes the effects his actions can have on others and makes better choices.

“I thank 91��Ƭ for the opportunity,” he said. “The program is what you make of it. Some people are going to take advantage of it. Some people are not. I’m taking advantage of it.”

Armstrong has started his own mobile brake company called Tuff Brakes and is looking forward to participating in an apprenticeship.

PACE Grant Program Manager Anthony Campisi said the grants are making a difference in the lives of New Jersey Reentry Corporation clients.

“You see the smile on their faces and the progress that we have made to help our clients,” he said. “I’ve never given up on anyone. And I will not give up on this client base.”

The education NCCTI students receive in the Automotive Technician program can lead to a number of positions in the industry. Esperanza Maldonado graduated from the Automotive Technician program and now works as a salesperson where she makes $120,000 per year.

She was in and out of prison and institutions from age 18 to 25. She entered the NCCTI Automotive Technician program after she was given the choice at a halfway house to either go to school or get a job. She chose school because she thought she would reoffend if she got a job.

“Education will open doors that no other thing can open for you. And this education right here, it opened the door that now, when I go to work I’m happy,” Maldonado said. “This school was the opportunity that will last a lifetime. I got skills in this school that nobody can take away from me. I can go anywhere in the country.”

Assemblywoman Shanique Speight said she has two brothers who have been incarcerated.

“What I see on your faces, I see hope. I see when you fell down, you got right back up and you kept on going. So thank you for your hard work,” she said.

Newark Deputy Mayor of Employment Rahaman Muhammad refers individuals to NCCTI for training. He said the students need to be serious about their education and share the positive experience with others.

“You have to commit to going out to your neighborhood to convince other people to come into this program. If it works for you, it’ll work for other people out there,” he said. “But it doesn’t work if you don’t complete it, if you don’t commit to it, if you don’t get it done.”

Chief Administrative Officer and Veteran Coordinator for Sansone Auto Group Rich Liebler, who helped start the Automotive Technician program with 91��Ƭ and Ford Motor Company, explained that once NCCTI students complete some initial training, they are eligible to be part of Sansone’s apprenticeship program where they are assigned a master technician as their follow-up instructor. That individual guides them through the process of going from a starter technician to a master technician.

“I’ve got 35 individuals in the program at Sansone right now, 10 of which came from [NCCTI],” Liebler said.

NJ CAR Director of Automotive Workforce Development Breanna Datello Esquilin explained that she helps connect trained individuals to apprenticeships at the 514 new car dealers in the state with the goal of making sure those individuals remain in the field. The apprenticeships, made possible from the New Jersey Department of Labor Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) Grant, have a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

“We are trying to make it so that those first few years that you’re out in the workforce through apprenticeship, you stay in the workforce,” she said. “You don’t turnover and you don’t leave for another industry or in this case go back to a past life that you had that you don’t want to be in.”

New Jersey Reentry Corporation Employment Specialist Cynthia Rojas thanked NCCTI Automotive Technician Instructor John Zaccheus who she said serves as a mentor as well as an instructor to the students.

“They’re getting credentials, licenses that are nationally recognized to keep their career in this industry,” Rojas said. “And learning the skills that are going to keep them financially stable so they can stay out of the system.”

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 newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

NCCTI Celebrates Program Graduates

Michelle Lang — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 20:51:06 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) celebrated the accomplishments of its students at a graduation ceremony Aug. 28. Family members and friends of the graduating students gathered at St. Joseph Plaza to recognize their achievements.

“It is always a good day when we can send our well trained and credentialed graduates out into the working world,” said 91��Ƭ CEO Richard Rohrman. “Congratulations to the graduates and thank you to the dedicated staff that made it possible.”

91��Ƭ Board President Dr. A. Zachary Yamba spoke at the ceremony, thanking NCCTI staff members for their work helping students to succeed. He then addressed the graduates.

“This is just the beginning. Learning is a lifelong experience. I challenge you to grow in your professions,” he said. “Those of us who will be in need of your services will be expecting nothing but 100 percent quality work. And I know you will do that.”

NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton explained that the graduation isn’t the most important part of the student’s journey.

“We’re very proud of our graduates but in the words of our late great leader, Monsignor Linder, the most important thing that we really acknowledge and welcome is the number of students who actually get jobs,” he said. “We celebrate the employment and connection to employers.”

NCCTI alumna Jessica Jackson, who graduated from the Patient Care Technician program in 2018, shared words of encouragement to the graduates. She currently works at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and enjoys her position. She said she knows the hard work it took the graduates to get to where they are.

“It was a tough six months. I was juggling three jobs, two kids and continued to run a nonprofit organization that I started in 2016. There were many times I wanted to give up, but thanks to 91��Ƭ’s amazing professors and administration and countless hours of studying, I finally made it,” Jackson said.

Culinary Arts Graduate Paula Moore, who was offered a job at 91��Ƭ Extended Care Facility three months into the program, told her classmates they will have many opportunities going forward.

“This is only the beginning. It doesn’t end here,” she said. “All I can say to everybody is take advantage of this experience and make the best of it. Just know that once one door opens, it allows you an abundance of opportunities.”

NCCTI recognized two employer partners during the graduation: Sansone Auto Group and University Hospital. Both organizations hire NCCTI graduates.

Rich Liebler, Chief Administrative Officer and Veterans Coordinator for Sansone Auto Group, helped start the Automotive Technician program 23 years ago.

“One of the reasons why I wanted to help out down here is that I didn’t want individuals to just get a job. What I wanted to do was to help them develop careers,” Liebler said. “An automotive technician has the potential in five years to make over $75,000 a year.”

Barbara Karpinska, Vice President for Ambulatory Care Services of Rutgers Health Group at University Hospital, explained that she worked to change the organization’s job descriptions so recent graduates could be hired.

“Working with hospital leadership, we were able to make changes so that we still required the educational certificates, but no longer the experience. And therefore we were able to open the door to new graduates,” she said.

Newark Deputy Mayor of Employment Rahaman Muhammad served as the keynote speaker of the event. He is a lifelong Newark resident and in his current role he refers individuals to NCCTI for training. He said while many come to his office in search of a job, he tries to convince them to further their education to start a career instead. He congratulated NCCTI for not only helping students graduate, but for also helping them find employment in their field.

He said that no matter the circumstances, people can achieve.

“What our first chapter is is not how our last chapter has to end. We can change it if we want to change it,” Muhammad said. “But you’ve got to take that opportunity.”

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 and to apply, call 973-824-6484, log onto newcommunitytech.edu or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.

NCCTI Offers Paid Apprenticeship Opportunities to Automotive and Diesel Students

Michelle Lang — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 19:19:26 +0000

91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), in partnership with the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s Office and the Newark Alliance, is offering paid apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive and diesel technician fields.
In addition to receiving classroom and hands-on instruction at the NCCTI Training Center, students will have the opportunity to receive industry specific training at area dealerships while being paid at least $15 per hour for their work.
“NCCTI is on the cutting edge of establishing apprenticeship opportunities in the automotive and diesel sectors,” said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. “We are proud to partner with NJ CAR, the city of Newark and the Newark Alliance for this initiative.”
NJ CAR, a nonprofit organization serving franchised new car and truck retailers throughout New Jersey, received a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor to provide paid apprenticeships. The organization identified NCCTI as a feeder program for Essex County.
“NJ CAR looks forward to the opportunity to work with NCC to help develop and connect NCC talent to the dealerships throughout the region offering good paying jobs and rewarding careers as automotive technicians,” said NJ CAR President Jim Appleton. “Car dealerships are uniquely local businesses and the jobs they offer come with great pay, benefits and, most importantly, can’t be outsourced to the Sun Belt or shipped overseas.”
The funding is part of an expansion of apprenticeship opportunities in the state of New Jersey. These types of programs lead to life-sustaining wages, clearly defined career pathways and lifelong self-sufficiency. Gov. Phil Murphy held a press conference in February announcing $2.8 million in grant money for apprenticeship programs statewide. NCCTI staff members and students participated in that press conference, held at Sansone Auto Mall.
To highlight the paid apprenticeship opportunities, NCCTI hosted an Information Session July 31 at its Training Center, where automotive and diesel instruction takes place. Prospective students, as well as newly enrolled individuals, learned more about the Automotive Technician and Diesel Technician programs the accredited school offers and how they would have the opportunity to earn money for their work while still attending classes.
NJ CAR Director of Automotive Workforce Development Breanna Datello Esquilin spoke to attendees about the grant money for the paid apprenticeship opportunities and explained the skills they learn at NCCTI are and will be in high demand.
“Over the next seven years, New Jersey new car dealerships will need 12,500 new bodies to replace those leaving or retiring. There’s only about 1,200 students in the state of New Jersey enrolled in some kind of automotive training program,” she said. “If you can master this trade, the opportunities available to you are limitless.”
Rich Liebler, who helped start the Automotive Technician program with 91��Ƭ and Ford Motor Company, also spoke at the Information Session. Liebler previously owned Hillside Auto Mall on Route 22 and currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer and Veteran Coordinator for Sansone Auto Group. He explained that technicians can quickly rise on the pay scale by completing on-the-job training and could make $91,000 per year in five years.
He also told attendees not to get intimidated by the size of the textbooks.
“What you’re getting here is an overall knowledge of the automobile. But don’t let it overwhelm you to think that you can’t do it. Because as you come to me, I train you a little piece at a time,” Liebler said. “You run into a level where you don’t want to go further, that’s fine.”
Students in the Automotive Technician and Diesel Technician programs are eligible for paid apprenticeship opportunities after they have learned some basic skills and have a good attendance record. Brutton said that usually takes about four and a half months. The hours worked at the apprenticeship also count toward the program hours since it is related training.
91��Ƭ Career & Technical Institute is an accredited post-secondary school 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. Those interested in enrolling or learning more should visit or call 973-824-6484.

Launching Careers For 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center Automotive Students

Michelle Lang — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 19:53:56 +0000

When students complete the 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center Automotive Technician program, sponsored by Ford Motor Company, the goal is to find a job. Strong employer partnerships help link graduates to employment opportunities and make the program more beneficial.

One strong and lasting partnership is with Rich Liebler, Chief Administrative Officer and Veteran Coordinator for Sansone Auto Group. Liebler helped start NCC’s Automotive Technician program in 1996.

“I was friends with Edsel Ford, the great grandson of Henry Ford. I represented all the Ford dealers in the United States. And I got together with him and said that we need to do more in the urban areas for helping at-risk youth and plus we need technicians and employees for the automobile business,” Liebler said.

Ford Motor Company and Liebler put together funding and came to 91��Ƭ with a proposal to start an automotive training program. Twenty-two years later, the program is still going strong.

In 1996, Liebler owned Hillside Auto Mall. He sold that dealership in 2008 and later was recruited by Sansone Auto Group, where he started working in 2010. Throughout the changes over 22 years, Liebler remained involved in the automotive training program at 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center.

“I love working with 91��Ƭ because there’s genuine interest there,” he said.

In his current role at Sansone Auto Group, Liebler helps connect graduates to open positions. He is also working to institute a program with Sansone that allows students to work part-time during the week and on Saturdays while enrolled so that they have income and are more easily able to complete the training.

91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center Director Rodney Brutton said he is grateful for the partnership with Liebler and Sansone Auto Group.

“Rich’s history with our program and ongoing advocacy for our students should be applauded,” Brutton said. “Thanks to employer partners like Rich, Sansone and others, 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center’s automotive training program, sponsored by Ford, has been able to maintain its status for over 20 years.”

One of the graduates who has a job with Sansone Auto Group is Noah Deverel. He is 20 years old and completed the Automotive Technician program in 2017. He currently works at a Hyundai dealership doing pre-delivery inspections on new vehicles.

Deverel has always been interested in cars and wanted to learn how to fix them. He was part of Newark Deputy Mayor of Employment Rahaman Muhammad’s mentoring program and that’s how he became a student at 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center.

“We appreciate the deputy mayor’s office referring quality young men like Noah to our programs,” Brutton said. “Noah was ready to work and committed to completing the program. He knew what his career goals were.”

Deverel felt prepared for his work after receiving the training.

“Mr. Z [John Zaccheus, Lead Automotive Technician Instructor,] and Winston [Thomas, Automotive Technician Instructor,] are very, very good teachers. They never let me down. They stayed with me 100 percent of the way,” Deverel said. “You just have to trust the process and they’re going to help you. Everybody is very supportive.”

Liebler said Deverel is making progress in his career and as an automotive technician has the potential to earn $50,000 in five years.

Deverel has high aspirations.

“My overall goal is to be a head tech somewhere,” he said.

Brutton said Deverel is on his way to achieving that goal.

“We’re proud of Noah’s growth and the entire staff sees a wealth of potential in his future as an automotive technician,” Brutton said.

Those interested in enrolling in any 91��Ƭ Workforce Development Center program should fill out an intake form at www.newcommunity.org, call 973-824-6284 or visit the main offices at 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.