County approves workforce training contract; summer youth employment program faces steep cuts

A Division of Training and Employment representative described a professional-services agreement awarded to Garden State Employment and Training Association, Inc., selected from seven RFP respondents and described as the highest-scoring bidder. The agreement funds professional development for workforce staff, including training on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies and attendance at national conferences, and is grant-funded.

Separately, staff reported that the New Jersey Department of Labor award for the Summer Youth Employment Program is $402,850 this year — a roughly 60% reduction from the prior year — which will reduce participant slots from about 200 to 97. The division said 500 applications were received within eight hours and that the application window is closed; selection will be competitive and involve interviews for available slots.

Commissioner Mary Thomas and others called for exploring philanthropic and corporate partnerships to restore slots and diversify revenue for the program. The board approved the workforce contract and accepted the Department of Labor insertion on roll call.

The county will proceed with the workforce training contract and staff said they are open to suggestions to expand funding for the youth employment program.