Invitation to participate in construction of Cooper University Health Care's

$3 billion expansion sent to every Camden residence in Spanish and English, promoted on social media

CAMDEN, NJ: Following last month's announcement of an unprecedented joint venture to create job and economic opportunities for Camden residents as part of Cooper's $3 billion expansion, George E. Norcross III, the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cooper University Health Care, today announced that Cooper has begun an outreach program to Camden residents to sign up for job training opportunities. Last month, Cooper announced an unprecedented partnership between Cooper, construction manager Torcon Inc. / P. Agnes, Inc. and the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters to establish a program to recruit Camden residents to participate in training and apprenticeship jobs for the construction projects. In addition to the Carpenters, other unions, including the Electricians, Sheet Metal Workers, Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Painters, Laborers, Tile Setters, Drywall Finishers, Operating Engineers, Roofers, Iron Workers, Masons, and Glazers, will be participating.

"When Camden's renaissance began just over a decade ago, it was clear there were three things that needed to be done for the city's future: dramatically improve public safety, expand access to high-quality education options and create economic opportunity for city's residents," said Norcross today. "Programs like this unprecedented partnership with the Carpenters, as well as Camden Works, which disseminates a weekly listing of all job openings for every public and private city employer, are an important part of ensuring that Camden once again becomes a place where people not only want to live, but where they can start a well-paying career."

Cooper will be mailing information about the program to Camden residents. Those interested can contact Cooper (call 856.356.4899 or email [email protected]) to learn more about "the Construction Trade Apprenticeship Program, an opportunity for a lifetime profession in the construction industry." The program is open to all men and women, 18 years or older with a high school degree.

Cooper's outreach continues the health care system's commitment to Camden, its hometown since its founding in the city 138 years ago. In recent years, Cooper has made significant investments to expand the services it provides the South Jersey region, including partnering with BAYADA and Thomas Edison University to create a new accelerated BSN nursing program, creating and staffing Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU), and partnering with MD Anderson Cancer Center to bring advanced cancer care to the area. Cooper currently employs more than 940 Camden residents and sponsors the Cooper Health Careers Initiative (CHCI), an education and job training program leading to employment in medical coding, offered free of cost to Camden City residents. Cooper was recently named one of New Jersey's "Best Employers" by Forbes for the fourth year in a row.

The new joint venture between Cooper, the Carpenters, and construction manager Torcon Inc. / P. Agnes Inc. is designed to encourage participation by local residents in this significant new construction project in the City of Camden.

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