Freeholder Gabor Tapped as Workforce Board Liaison

CREST HAVEN – Because Freeholder Kristine Gabor is director of Health and Human Services, she became liaison to the Atlantic Cape May Workforce Development Board at its June 25 reorganization at Stockton University. The announcement was made at the freeholders’ July 14 meeting.
Although still becoming familiar with all the job entails, Gabor told the Herald July 17 she would “Like to see opportunities for people who are currently on assistance. We want them to have the opportunity to have sufficient job training so they can find work and be taken off the government system.”
Assisting her in learning more about the board’s functions are Sara Maloney, director of social services, and Patricia Devaney, director of human services. “They are the brains, I am overseeing,” said Gabor.
Gabor cited displaced casino workers, who have greatly impacted Atlantic County, and Cape May County’s “very seasonal high unemployment” rate as being similar problems that the board can address.
Helping to train is an important facet to getting those people employed again in the private sector, she noted.
Deemed a part of the county’s overall economic development program, which is overseen by Freeholder Will Morey, Gabor said “I am more involved with social services, so I was asked to take on liaison. Freeholder Morey was happy to give me those responsibilities,” Gabor added.
Funding for programs is complicated, Gabor admitted, and noted she is “Trying to work through it all and learn.”
Once she possesses an understanding of that funding and its allocation, she will seek to find ways that will help Cape May County residents to benefit from the programs.
Other officers inducted June 25 included Dr. Peter Mora, treasurer; Ellen Hohmann, vice chair; Peggy Quinn, secretary; Riaz Rajput, chair; and Rhonda Lowery, executive director.
The Atlantic Cape May Workforce Development Board is comprised of 45 representatives from private and public sectors, shared between Atlantic and Cape May counties. Private sector represents over half the membership, according to the board’s website.
Board members oversee development and planning of new employment and training programs and to support current services and ongoing projects of the board.
Additionally, members are encouraged to serve on at least one committee to provide insight and make recommendations to assist in the development of the workforce system in the two counties.
The board maintains a partnership between the public and private sectors to evaluate workforce readiness, develop policies and oversee these efforts at a bi-county level, in order to deliver a labor force prepared to work in today’s developing and evolving economy.
Additionally, the board oversees adult, dislocated worker and youth services for the two-county region and has designed a full spectrum employment and training system that addresses needs of all residents with regards to workforce readiness.
The board assists youth and adults with employment and training opportunities and manages adult literacy issues.
The board meets quarterly in locations throughout both counties.
Program Example
An example of a Workforce Development Board program announced July 1, is one for Cape May County out-of-school youth, ages 16 to 24. They may be eligible to participate in an employment and training program funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act provided that they meet the “disadvantaged” criteria established by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Eligible youth participated in the program for 12 weeks, 30 hours per week and were compensated with a $25 per day stipend for completion of a full day of activities. Activities include work experience, community service learning projects, career development activities, and work readiness training and education classes.
According to a release, “Youth that complete the Rewarding, Employment, Academic and Life Skills Program (REAL) will be prepared for enrollment in college, vocational training, or an apprenticeship and employment. All youth without a high school diploma will be provided with test preparation classes with the goal of achieving their high school equivalency.”
There were no out-of-pocket costs since the program was grant funded.
For information call (609) 729-4403.