FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2014
2nd Annual Neighborhood Leaders AWARDS INSPIRes COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Elizabeth Development Company’s On the Job Training Program Provides Hope for Union County Residents
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ELIZABETH, NJ – People helping people by creating opportunities for others was a reason to celebrate at the 2nd Annual Neighborhood Leader Awards, recently hosted by the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC) at the Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel, in Elizabeth. Bringing celebrity flair to the occasion, award-winning journalist, N.J. Burkett, of WABC-TV Eyewitness News, was the emcee of the award reception and dinner.
Indeed, it was a good time had by all with the soulful entertainment of Valerie Adams and the Dimension, along with good conversation, guests on the blue carpet having their photo taken, and the recognition of community leaders who supported the Elizabeth Development Company’s On-the-Job Training program (OJT). Through the OJT program, which started in July 2013, EDC has helped displaced workers, veterans and homemakers re-entering the workforce with job training and connections to viable employment opportunities.
Kasib Ford, an OJT Trainee who was employed at Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport when the project started, provided words of thanks to the honorees and the EDC for giving him a new career and a new start in life. Kasib commented on the day of the event, “it was really hard for me to get a job because I was formerly incarcerated as a youth and once released I tried so hard to find work, but no one would hire me.” It wasn’t until he heard about the EDC OJT program and the City of Elizabeth 2nd Chance initiative that he was able to gain employment. Kasib continued “I enjoyed working with Embassy and I learned a lot. I am so grateful for the opportunity!”
“Hearing the touching stories of some of the individuals who participated in the OJT program reinforces our focus to provide opportunities for residents to have the necessary skills needed for an evolving job market,” stated Freeholder Sergio Granados, who is also the Freeholder Board liaison to the Workforce Investment Board.
"Providing training, skills and knowledge, the Retail Skills Center continues to increase opportunities and help prepare residents for success," said Mayor J. Christian Bollwage. "Connecting residents with jobs strengthens the workforce, enables them to gain valuable experience as well as supports the growth and development of our community. This On-the-Job-Training Program is the next logical step in assisting our residents on their path to employment."
In a time when jobs are needed more than ever, the community partners of the OJT program, which include Union County Workforce Investment Board, Elizabethport Presbyterian Center (Eport Center) and Union County College, came together to create 85 job opportunities for Union County residents in 2013. The initiative was funded by Union County Freeholder’s Workforce Investment Board, City of Elizabeth Community Development Block Grant and Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit through NJ Department of Community Affairs.
This year’s group of distinguished honorees included: William Best of PNC Bank, Wakefern Food Corporation, Jacobson Distributing Company, Jeff Fowlkes of Embassy Suites Elizabeth-Newark Airport, John Difabio of Cranford Heating and Plumbing, LLC and Davison Wayne Developers.
“Since the program began in the summer of 2013, EDC has identified three growth industries to help unemployed Union County residents find on-the-job-training opportunities. The OJT program has helped so many unemployed adults find and retain employment we are really proud of this program,” said Bill O’Dea, Executive Director at EDC.
“On behalf of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Workforce Investment Board, I would like to thank the companies we’ve honored for working with us and creating jobs for our residents,” said Freeholder Sergio Granados. Granados continues “as someone who has grown up in an area with unemployment issues and watching family members struggling to find jobs, it is gratifying to see these companies willing to participate in a public-private partnership model that puts residents back at work.”
The OJT program’s main objective is to empower people by putting them to work. It’s a win-win situation. Employers receive wage subsidies of up to half of a new employee’s gross wages. For those employers that qualified for a Work Opportunity Tax Credit of up to $5,000 for over two (2) years, they can use this incentive to help fund the first six (6) months of an apprenticeship program for qualified participants.
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About the EDC
Founded in 1977, the Elizabeth Development Company (EDC) has led the City of Elizabeth’s economic development programs that have resulted in a tremendously successful revitalization of the city. EDC is a driving force in the dramatic transformation of the city and utilizes innovative strategies that include; facilitating physical improvements, coordinating development projects, superior investor relations services, and building community relationships that address the city’s social and economic needs.
For more information about the Elizabeth Development Company and the OJT program please visit: www.edcnj.org or call Fatimah S. Raymond at 908-289-0262.