PARAMUS, N.J. – Two Bergen Community College students, Janus Varela of Bergenfield and Brenda Turkdogan of Clifton, each received $2,000 scholarships from the State of New Jersey for the cost of enrollment in certificate programs at Bergen as part of the Governor’s Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women and Minorities (NJ-GIVS).
The program exclusively targets students pursuing non-degree certificate programs in construction-related fields. With a half-million dollars in state-appropriated funds, the newly launched NJ-GIVS helps students secure in-demand, high-skilled jobs.
“In my case, I'm very glad it worked out,” Varela, who wants to enter the green energy workforce, said. “Otherwise, I would have remained in career limbo.”