The New Jersey union construction industry has demonstrated its strong commitment to education and workforce development by awarding a combined $1,475,100 in scholarships to 431 students in 2025. This investment of nearly $1.5 million will support students attending colleges across the country and underscores the industry’s focus on nurturing the state’s future leaders.
The funds were contributed by various trade associations whose members are union construction companies, as well as by the unions themselves, with each organization utilizing its own criteria for selection.
“It is an honor to be part of an industry that gives so much,” Jack Kocsis, CEO of Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) said. “Every year, we are inspired by the students who continue to thrive while balancing the demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and the pressure of college applications. ACCNJ is pleased to be able to help them continue their education and we hope they will remember this as they excel in their future careers.”
ACCNJ and Partner Contributions
The ACCNJ was a key contributor, awarding six scholarships totaling $75,000. The association also awarded one student a $5,000 Floor Covering Institute of New Jersey (FCINJ) Legacy Scholarship, following the 2021 merger of the FCINJ with ACCNJ. Since 2014, ACCNJ alone has distributed $820,000 to 75 students.
The impact of the program was highlighted by Alexis Pope, a 2020 James F. Parry Memorial Scholarship recipient, who stated, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to go to school because it wasn’t cheap, but thanks to the ACCNJ Foundation Scholarship, I was able to go to school for my first year… which changed the trajectory of my college career.”
Full list of 2025 scholarship awards
The extensive list of industry organizations and their total contributions for 2025 demonstrates the broad support for the initiative:
