ATLANTIC CITY - A minimum of 100 qualified unemployed or dislocated Atlantic County residents will have an opportunity to receive education, training and support services through the Foundation for Success Program sponsored by the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board in cooperation with Atlantic Cape Community College.
The program targets residents who are eligible for Work First New Jersey and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding. This includes individuals receiving benefits through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Atlantic County has the highest unemployment in the state and had the highest job losses in the country this past June because of our over-reliance on the hospitality and tourism industries, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said. This program will train workers for current job vacancies.
According to Levinson, the Foundation for Success Program will be offered in a virtual and in-person format to meet the participant's needs. Students will work independently from home but will have access to the college's Atlantic City campus twice a week by appointment during both daytime and evening hours. The program will consist of six modules and 70 hours of online content. Each student will be assigned a Success Coach to provide encouragement and support in addition to tracking student progress.
Having a coach to follow up, answer questions, provide feedback and encouragement is extremely important, said Francis Kuhn, director of the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board. It's easy to get sidetracked by everyday demands and responsibilities. The coaches will help keep students motivated to stay on a path to success.
Residents who are eligible for the Foundations for Success Program will be contacted within the next several weeks. There is no fee to participate.
We have seen a significant increase in the need for public assistance as of result of the pandemic. With this program we aim to help those with a history of work experience fill available job vacancies, Kuhn said.
For more information, contact the Atlantic County Workforce Development Board at 609-485-0052 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
