EAST BRUNSWICK — The longest serving apprentice instructor in the United States was honored as the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools (MCVTS) awarded certificates of completion to 34 graduates of its apprenticeship program.
The May 18 graduation ceremony at the MCVTS East Brunswick Campus was highlighted by the presentation of the Albert Hudanish Leadership Award to Richard Shine Sr. of Milltown.
Shine, a member of Local 456 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in North Brunswick for more than 40 years, has been an apprentice instructor since 1968.
The Hudanish Award, given annually to a leader from business and industry, labor, government or education who has made a significant contribution to apprenticeship, was presented by MCVTS Superintendent of Schools Brian J. Loughlin and Dawn M. Lystad, MCVTS director of adult education and Middlesex County apprenticeship coordinator, according to information provided by MCVTS.
Bernard Tremel, state director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, congratulated the graduating electricians and plumbers, who completed between 600 and 900 hours of classroom instruction and between 8,000 and 10,000 hours of on-the-job training over four or five years.
Andrew Lieberman of South Amboy, an electrician with IBEW Local 456, was recognized as class representative.
Lieberman and Stephen Belford of Edison, also with Local 456, were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
The Joint Apprentice Training Committee of Local 456 presented the Edward J. Fofrich Memorial Award to Belford for practicing the principles of labor unions by helping classmates in school and co‑workers on the job.
Apprenticeship programs combine full-time supervised and structured on-the-job training with part‑time, related theoretical instruction. Apprentices who successfully complete the program receive national and state credentials, according to the school.
More information, visit www.mcvts.net.