FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 19, 2011
Freeholders, partners congratulate alumni
One-Stop Career Centers add to local workforce
WIB recognizes 13 who complete training,
work toward brighter future
EATONTOWN, NJ – Monmouth County’s Workforce Investment Board (WIB) members, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Division of Employment and Training staff, and community partners highlighted the accomplishments and challenges of 13 One-Stop Career Center alumni at a ceremony held at the Sheraton Eatontown today.
Each alumnus achieved a training or educational goal that has led to his or her successful entry or re-entry to the workforce. Among the new career paths of the 2011 alumni are certified nurse’s assistant, construction laborer, patient care technician, office manager, cashier and a licensed registered nurse.
“It is uplifting that in these difficult economic times you are able to lift yourselves up and gain the skills necessary to meet modern-day challenges,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the WIB and the county’s Division of Employment and Training. “You have worked hard and you have opened your minds to new ideas, and I congratulate each of you on your success.”
“You should all be very proud of yourselves,” said Freeholder Amy A. Mallet, liaison to the Department of Human Services. “You all have worked really hard to make changes in your lives and because of your determination, coupled with the support you found at the One Stop Career Center, we are now looking at 13 success stories.”
The One-Stop system is a working partnership of every publicly funded state and local agency in Monmouth County that supports employment and training.
“The centerpieces of the system are the two comprehensive One-Stop Career Centers,” said Eileen Higgins, acting executive director of the WIB. “The centers help unemployed and underemployed individuals improve their marketability through employment counseling, assessment of skills and experience, and literacy and vocational training.”
“Collaboration between public and private entities is an important part of providing services to those who are unemployed or underemployed in Monmouth County,” WIB Chairman John Gagliano said. “Whatever your future, it is my sincere hope that you will look back on your training through the county’s One-Stop system as having prepared you to meet the challenges that life will present.”
Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development congratulated the alumni on their achievements.
“Each of you had the stamina to overcome your own, unique and difficult barriers in life,” Wirths said. “I am proud to know that you were able to find the training and assistance offered through our diligent state and local workforce system to find new careers and, in some cases, new lives. I am prouder still to know that the people who make our workforce system work made a difference for you.”
A number of students told their personal stories and expressed their gratitude for the assistance they received.
The county’s One-Stop Career Centers are located in Eatontown at 145 Wyckoff Rd., Suite 201 and in Neptune at 60 Taylor Ave. The main telephone number for the county’s Division of Employment and Training is 732-683-8850.
Donations from county businesses and services help make the recognition event possible. Silver Sponsors were: Advantage Career Institute and Brookdale Community College; Bronze Sponsors were AcuteCare Health System, CentraState Health Care System and John and Florence Booth.
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2011 One Stop Alumni are:
Rayon Angus, Neptune
Darryl Bunting, Asbury Park
David Coe, Leonardo
Joseph Costa, Farmingdale
Desiree Crumity, Asbury Park
Vanessa Johnson, Asbury Park
Karissa Jones, Neptune
Lisa Marino, Howell
Kaeshon McMillian, Asbury Park
Elizabeth Powers, Freehold
Clara Quintero, Manalapan
Merri Seigel, Marlboro
Umoja Stephenson, Ocean Township
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