Passaic County Community College (PCCC) is revolutionizing how its students enter the workforce, announcing a strategic technology partnership today with Where Trades Go, a networking platform designed specifically for the skilled trades.
The initiative moves away from traditional, text-heavy resumes in favor of visual, profile-based hiring—a move school officials say better reflects the actual handiwork and technical expertise of their students.
In the trades, a list of previous employers often fails to capture a worker’s true ability. The Where Trades Go platform allows PCCC students to build digital profiles featuring photos and videos of their completed projects, certifications, and skill test results.
“This platform will help to attract prospective trade students, recruit new college instructors, and place graduates in the workforce,” Jon Connolly, acting dean of Science and Technical Studies at PCCC said. “It is a gamechanger for assisting employers in finding the talent they need and for young graduates who are eager to start applying their newly learned craft.”
The partnership is already yielding tangible results for the college’s 2026-2027 academic year. By introducing the platform at local high schools and county events, PCCC has successfully:
- Filled all 16 dual-enrollment seats for the upcoming year.
- Retained six alumni returning for advanced American Welding Society (AWS) Level II certification.
- Initiated a recruitment pipeline to identify and hire future trade instructors.
The college’s welding program currently boasts a 90% job placement rate, but administrators believe this new technology will help them reach their ultimate goal of 100% placement.
Unlike a static resume, the Where Trades Go profile is designed to evolve as a student’s career progresses. Richard Genco, instructor and coordinator of the PCCC Welding program, noted that the platform provides more long-term value than traditional job-search support.
“Their profiles will grow with them throughout their career to help them succeed in the workforce,” Genco said.
For students like Robert Santiago, a current welding student, the platform offers a psychological boost as much as a professional one. “Seeing all of my accomplishments on my profile is helping to build my confidence and pride in my welding work,” Santiago said.
The partnership addresses a critical pain point for New Jersey businesses: finding reliable, skilled labor. By automating the matchmaking process between schools, students, and employers, the platform aims to save resources for career placement teams.
“The ecosystem that we have created will save time and resources for career placement teams so they can help more students find success than ever before,” Brian Drucks, CEO and founder of Where Trades Go said.
