ACCNJ’s Educational Workshop Series Addresses the Essentials

By Jill Schiff On Oct 13, 2025

Through its evolving Educational Workshop Series – a collection of half-day sessions designed to address essential workplace competencies in the construction sector – the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) continues to reinforce its commitment to member development.

Launched in early 2024, the series is part of ACCNJ’s broader mission to support professional growth and elevate workforce standards across the industry. Each session is developed with input from members and delivered by experienced facilitators, ensuring relevance and practical value. Thanks to subsidies from the ACCNJ Industry Advancement Trust, each session is offered at a reduced cost, making quality education more accessible to union contractors.

Classes are capped at 30 participants to ensure a more effective learning environment, allowing instructors to give more individual attention and encourage greater student participation. The workshops have attracted a varied mix of attendees, ranging from owners and executives to HR professionals, field personnel, and students participating in the summer internship program.

The series has already covered a diverse set of topics including time management and organizational skills, holding difficult conversations, email etiquette, navigating change, de-escalation training, employee accountability, and listening skills. Each program is crafted to strengthen foundational skills that directly affect jobsite performance, team dynamics, and workplace safety. Attendance has remained strong, with several sessions selling out – an indicator of how vital these skills are for today’s construction professionals.

ACCNJ continues to build on that momentum with its Public Speaking Professional Development series, a four-part program that began on Sept. 17, 2025. Through hands-on learning, the series empowers professionals with the tools to communicate with clarity and confidence.

Beyond these focused sessions, technical skills training is also a key component of ACCNJ’s educational efforts, delivered both directly by the association and through its network of members. ACCNJ has previously hosted in-person blueprint reading classes and regularly connects members with technical training resources offered by other member firms, covering tools such as Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, and more. 

Additionally, ACCNJ provides a comprehensive career brochure that highlights the union construction trades and explains their roles. The brochure contains contact information for each of the unions as well as a list of New Jersey colleges offering related degree programs to guide individuals interested in building a career in construction. This collaborative approach strengthens the industry’s collective expertise and ensures employees have access to the technical knowledge needed to excel in their field.

Through the Educational Workshop Series, ACCNJ is equipping professionals at all levels with the tools they need to lead, communicate, and perform more effectively. By prioritizing continuous learning and professional development, the ACCNJ is helping shape a safer, smarter, and more resilient construction industry throughout New Jersey.

About the Author: Jill Schiff is the chief operating officer of the Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey. She joined ACCNJ’s predecessor organization, BCANJ, in February 1990 as an assistant to the safety director. During her tenure, she has stepped into a variety of roles encompassing safety, education, workforce development, and overall day-to-day operations.

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