Learning workplace skills

SPARTA — Taking another step toward entering the job market, Sussex County Technical School students gathered Wednesday morning in the theater lobby to increase their employment chances through a series of SkillsUSA seminars. “I am so pleased with the leadership skills, organization and character building that SkillsUSA brings to the students,” said Anthony Macerino, the school's interim superintendant/principal. SkillsUSA is an organization with chapters nationwide. The group tests students’ skills in more than 100 categories and also develops their interview skills, focuses their resumes and advises students on how to present a professional image. In a short speech, New Jersey Labor Commissioner Harold Wirths explained the unusual situation in the job market to the students. “I have toured businesses from Cape May to High Point and the one thing business owners say they are lacking is skilled workers,” said Wirths. ”Right now, today, I have 98,000 job openings in the state of New Jersey and an additional 258,000 job openings within a 50-mile radius of New Jersey and I have 400,000 people unemployed. It is because the people entering the workforce do not have the proper skills.” Wirths, a Wantage resident, said he has great confidence in the futures of SkillsUSA members. “This program is so impressive,” said Wirths. Also on hand at the event was State Sen. Steven Oroho, who said he believes that employment prospects are improving and the students’ participation in SkillsUSA training and competition are a step in the right direction. “It gives me so much confidence, that you know what, we’re going to be just fine,” said Oroho. “Mixing students, teachers, business and industry is the key. That is why the program is very successful.” Everyone's a member SkillsUSA is not an exclusive club at Sussex Tech. “We are a 100 percent chapter,” said Ralph Starace, SkillsUSA advisor. “That means that every student that comes to Sussex Tech is a Skills member.” Competitions at the state and national levels will challenge students in those more than 100 different categories. The New Jersey State Conference competition is March 31, and will be held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset. Starace said the Sussex Tech group will be there. “I’m taking a third of the school down to compete. We are the biggest Skills chapter as far as competitions in the state.”