Garton’s Rigging Named CCTEC 2025 Business Partner of the Year
Vineland based Garton’s Rigging was honored as Cumberland County Technical Education Center 2025 Business Partner of the Year for its sustained, hands on support of CCTEC programs. The partnership provides mentorship, paid supervised on the job training, and roughly $14,000 in scholarships over three years, strengthening local career pathways and employer readiness.
Cumberland County Technical Education Center recognized Vineland based Garton’s Rigging on December 2, 2025 as its 2025 Business Partner of the Year, citing a multi year commitment to CCTEC students and career programs. School officials highlighted the company’s sustained, hands on involvement with CCTEC Construction and Automotive Technology programs, which has included hosting students through the School to Work program, mentoring onsite, and providing paid supervised on the job training that transitions classroom learning into workplace experience.
Across the past three years Garton’s has contributed roughly $14,000 in scholarships to CCTEC students, a financial investment administrators say complements the practical training offered at worksites. The company has also employed recent CCTEC graduates in positions that allow alumni to return as mentors and trainers for current students, a dynamic CCTEC staff described as a full circle impact linking education to employment.
The Career Pathways Coordinator at CCTEC framed the partnership as a model for bridging secondary career education and local industry. “Garton’s Rigging represents everything that makes our School to Work program successful with mentorship, opportunity and community partnership,” the coordinator said. School officials noted that mentorship from alumni employees reinforces classroom instruction, shortens onboarding for employers, and gives students clearer pathways into skilled employment immediately after graduation.
For local residents the partnership translates to several practical outcomes. Students gain industry relevant experience and income while completing their programs, making post graduation decisions more affordable and attainable. Employers in Cumberland County benefit from a pipeline of trained entry level workers who are already familiar with jobsite expectations. Educators can tailor curricula around real world employer needs, improving both completion rates and workforce readiness.
As vocational education continues to be a focus for regional workforce development, the Garton’s and CCTEC collaboration offers a concrete example of how public schools and private employers can coordinate resources to expand career opportunities for young residents while supporting the county economy.
