Union lays out career prospects

VERNON — Students in the Vernon Township High School's new Construction Engineering program on Oct. 3 with rapt attention as Local 68 Trainer Tony Scorciolla outlined the blueprint for what could potentially be their future careers. Scorciolla shared his own professional journey with the students and relayed the progressive advancements within the field, rendering the Construction, Facilities and Management “CFM” room silent—a departure from its usual lively cacophony of hammering, drilling and whirring of machinery.
From insightful information to personal anecdotes, Scorciolla provided an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the current mechanisms of the industry. He was invited to the high school, by Career Technical Education (CTE)-certified Teacher Michael DeVore, who wanted to provide his high school engineering and construction students with a real-world educational experience. Scorciolla did just that, with his firm but personable demeanor and adolescent-friendly language. The young craftsmen absorbed his career advice and academic recommendations, and were inspired and motivated to learn more.
As a former Local 68 member, himself, DeVore joined Scorciolla to hammer home the important role that education plays in the union, given that comprehensive training, assessments, certification and professional development are all requisite for tenure in the field. An academically-conscious industry, trade unions require entrants to hold a high school diploma, pass a GED-level exam and undergo eight semesters of hands-on training. The Local 68 motto guarantees: “Your education is an insurance policy second to none.” Scorciolla reiterated this statement to the Vernon students, noting that their years of training in the CTE program would be a “good investment” for their futures.
The trainer laid out each of the steps along the path to industry certification, offering the students a leg up on their transition into construction and engineering careers. As a feeder program into the trade union, Vernon Township High School’s CTE teachers will be working with the Local 68 to prepare students for recruitment opportunities. The high school’s Construction Engineering Program will structure its curriculum to suit the educational requirements of the Local 68 training school’s benchmarks.
Scorciolla explained to the students that the construction and facilities industry offers a variety of careers that are both in-demand and lucrative. Each of these jobs relies on technical skillsets and trained expertise that must be obtained through dedicated experience. Scorciolla is a representative of the Local 68 Trade Union, New Jersey’s chartered chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) that collectively has more than 100 regional unions across the United States and Canada. Operating under the IUOE as a government-sponsored association, Local 68 offers industry information, networking and employment opportunities to its 5,300-plus members. This regional chapter also functions as a training facility for union members, as continued education and training are paramount to the IUOE service model. Vernon’s graduating seniors will be able to attend classes at the Local 68 Training Center, located in nearby West Caldwell, NJ, which offers day and evening courses, year-round.
With their futures in mind, students excitedly asked about possible recruitment opportunities with the trade union. And when the Local 68 Trainer offered to distribute paperwork to anyone interested in pursuing this opportunity, hands filled the air.