Hudson County Community College and Eastern Millwork Create a Transformative Apprenticeship Program
The Business-Higher Education Forum’s Innovators at Work series showcases partnerships between business and higher education that are driving workforce transformation. Through case studies, this series highlights best practices, proven strategies, and impactful collaborations that address critical talent challenges and equip learners with the skills needed for the future workforce.
Eastern Millwork, Inc. faced a critical challenge: finding highly skilled talent to meet its specialized manufacturing needs. Traditional bachelor’s degrees weren’t delivering job-ready graduates, and hiring mechanical engineering majors proved costly and inefficient.
To address this challenge, the company partnered with Hudson County Community College (HCCC), and seven months later, they launched the Eastern Millwork-Holz Technik Academy: a five year, paid, tuition-free apprenticeship program that provides hands-on training leading to an associate and bachelor’s degree and guaranteed job placement. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called it the blueprint for the state’s economic future.
“We take the 'community' in our title very seriously; our mission is to serve the community we are located in – everything we do is the result of partnerships where we come together with others in ways that are mutually supportive and lead to outcomes that are greater than the sum of their parts.”
–President Chris Reber, Hudson County Community College
A Bold Approach to Workforce Readiness
Eastern Millwork, a bespoke architectural millwork company, needed employees with both technical expertise and creativity. However, new employees often required extensive on-the-job training, slowing productivity. The company needed a talent pipeline that would produce skilled workers ready to contribute from day one. HCCC answered the call by rethinking the traditional education model. Instead of starting with general education courses, the college structured the program to immerse students in major specific, hands-on learning right away. This approach ensured that apprentices could immediately apply their skills in the workplace.
A Partnership Built for Speed and Impact
The success of the program hinged on collaboration. Eastern Millwork brought deep industry knowledge, while HCCC provided the agility and expertise to design and implement a tailored curriculum quickly. The result? A streamlined talent pipeline that benefits both students and the industry.
- Fast-Tracked Implementation: HCCC developed and launched the program in just seven months.
- Tuition-Free Pathway: Apprentices earn a tuition-free associate degree from HCCC and a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State University.
- Job Security: Graduates are guaranteed a $70,000 salary with full benefits and clear career advancement opportunities.
To remove administrative burdens on the business, HCCC took on the role of registered apprenticeship intermediary—handling paperwork and regulatory processes so Eastern Millwork could focus on training and mentorship.
Originally an industry-recognized apprenticeship, the program quickly transitioned into a fully registered apprenticeship model, expanding its credibility and reach.
A Model for Future Business-Higher Education Partnerships
BHEF has long championed strategic partnerships between business and higher education that create direct pathways to high-quality jobs, and this partnership is a compelling example of how higher education can align with industry needs. Four apprentices have already earned their associate degrees, one has completed a bachelor’s degree, and several more students are enrolled in the pathway. Eastern Millwork is now exploring opportunities to grow and share this model, providing a blueprint for other businesses seeking innovative workforce solutions. Hudson County Community College is scaling this replicable model to develop similar workforce-aligned programs in other industries. By removing barriers for both students and employers, this partnership has built a scalable, future-ready model that could be replicated across industries.
“We built a great foundation – not only in the program but in our partnership and relationship.”
–Lori Margolin, Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at HCCC
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HCC
Forging Partnerships