Aug-21-18 NJ Labor Department Opens One-Stop Career Center at Warren County Community College
Relocation strengthens partnership between higher education and labor
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New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development Robert Asaro-Angelo |
WASHINGTON, N.J., August 21, 2018 – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) opened a One-Stop Career Center at Warren County Community College today, marking the occasion with a dedication ceremony and tour of the new facility. The relocation of the Phillipsburg One-Stop to the college campus signifies an important step in strengthening the partnership between labor and higher education to benefit New Jersey’s future workforce.
One-Stop Career Centers provide career guidance and occupational training services to clients who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking a career change, and to businesses. Clients who visit a One-Stop can receive one-on-one career counseling and help finding job training opportunities. There are 30 One-Stop Career Centers located throughout New Jersey. Nearly 1,900 jobseekers visited the Phillipsburg site last year.
“The training and degree programs offered by community colleges throughout New Jersey are critical to enhancing the skills of New Jersey’s workforce,” said Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “While the partnership between the Phillipsburg One-Stop and Warren County Community College has always been strong, the relocation of the One-Stop to the college campus will enhance this relationship and improve service delivery for the hardworking women and men of New Jersey.”
The relocation of the One-Stop to a college campus is aligned with a priority of Gov. Phil Murphy to increase educational opportunities for New Jersey workers. The governor previously announced creation of the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, which will greatly expand the successful construction trades model to non-traditional fields, and a pilot program to provide free tuition to community college students.
“Community Colleges and One-Stop Career Centers have always depended on effective collaboration and communication to ensure that New Jersey residents can achieve their career goals,” said Warren County Community College President Dr. William Austin. “We are proud to have the opportunity to house the Phillipsburg One-Stop Career Center on our campus, and we look forward to increased collaboration between the One-Stop and our college as a result of this effort.”
The Phillipsburg site is located at the college’s Phillipsburg Education Center at 445 Marshall St., and is the second One-Stop to be located on a college campus. The other is in Cumberland County, and is located on that county’s community college campus.
Guests for the dedication included Labor Commissioner Asaro-Angelo, Deputy Commissioner Paul Yuen, and Assistant Commissioner Hugh Bailey, Higher Education Secretary Zakiya Smith Ellis, Dr. Austin, Warren County Freeholders Edward Smith, Jason Sarnoski, and Richard Gardner, and representatives of the county Department of Human Services, the Morris/Sussex/Warren Workforce Development Board, and Morris/Sussex/Warren Employment and Training Services.
Following the remarks, participants were invited to tour the facility.