In a world where college tuition continues to soar, many New Jersey students are opting for a more practical route: a career in the trades. Samantah DeAlmeida Roman, President and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors New Jersey (ABC-NJ), advocates for this shift, emphasizing the tangible benefits of trade education. “Why come out of college hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt when you can have a free education for a career that pays well, sets you up as an entrepreneur, and gives you valuable life skills?” she asks.
With an aging workforce in the construction industry, the demand for young talent has never been greater. Roman highlights the urgent need for skilled professionals as many workers from older generations retire. “My goal is to help form the next generation of professionals through comprehensive class work, hands-on training, and workforce development,” she states.
The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) supports this initiative, particularly focusing on enhancing opportunities for minority groups in the trades. “The AACCNJ works in collaboration with ABC-NJ on various programs and initiatives to strengthen the competitiveness of New Jersey,” explains John E. Harmon Sr., Founder and CEO of AACCNJ. “Pursuing a career in the trades is one of those initiatives.”
Through ABC-NJ’s Apprenticeship Education & Training Fund, students can pursue careers that offer financial stability and fulfillment. Roman points out, “It’s a great opportunity for young people to cash in where there’s presently a deficit in jobs. The opportunities are plentiful.”
Modern Day Apprenticeships
Since 2019, ABC-NJ has been a registered U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Apprenticeship Program, offering training in 26 different crafts. This program allows apprentices, who are sponsored by ABC-member employers or matched with a sponsor upon enrollment, to benefit from zero student debt. “Students earn while they learn,” Roman notes, highlighting the unique structure that includes both classroom instruction and hands-on experience.
As the most significant ABC chapter in the country with over 1,600 members, ABC-NJ provides apprenticeships in more trades than any other chapter, along with continuing education classes, professional licensing exam preparation, entrepreneurial training, and workforce development programs.
By investing in students, companies not only create well-trained employees but also build a legacy of skilled labor for the industry. Graduates of the ABC-NJ apprenticeship program remain connected to the organization, gaining access to a wide array of resources and support.
To engage youth early, ABC-NJ runs summer camps for middle school students that introduce them to the benefits of careers in the trades. “We start early because students haven’t been pushed on a path to college yet,” Roman explains. This proactive approach helps educate both students and their parents about the lucrative starting salaries and robust structure of ABC-NJ’s programs.
As perceptions of trade careers evolve, Roman emphasizes that it takes a special kind of individual to thrive in construction—someone who is intelligent, hardworking, and driven. “Those are the type of people we want to have leading the industry,” she affirms.
In a time when student debt is a pressing concern, the opportunities within New Jersey’s trade industry present a compelling, debt-free alternative for the next generation.
