Acting SETC Director Stresses WIB Compliance

Acting SETC Director Stresses WIB Compliance
The Gloucester County Workforce Investment Board (WIBs) along with the remaining
WIBs in New Jersey will be required to change if appropriate, to accommodate increased
needs for a qualified, skilled workforce in the Garden State.

Robin Widing, Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey State Employment and
Training Commission (SETC), outlined the changes the state’s WIBs will see in 2010 and
beyond as well as the factors driving those changes during the Gloucester County
Workforce Investment Board’s quarterly breakfast meeting May 5 at Bogey’s Café in
Mantua.

“Our state needs to create and ensure a pipeline of qualified and skilled workers,” Widing
told the WIB membership. “Businesses for the very first time are involved with WIA
(the country’s Workforce Investment Act) and there is an emphasis on the WIBs working
with businesses and industries as groups, understanding their skill needs and setting up
trainings for those skills, offering certification that is transferable and portable. Our goal
is to bring the private sector to the table and ensure accountability for the funds being
spent to provide quality initiatives at the state and local levels.”

Widing said she and SETC President Dennis M. Bone of Verizon New Jersey devised a
plan to improve communications with the New Jersey WIBs in expectation of the
reauthorization of the federal WIA Act later this year. Regional meetings were
established and are ongoing with WIB Chairs and Executive Directors, an activity that
was never considered in the past, she said. Hosea Johnson, Gloucester County WIB
Chair, attends these meetings on a regular basis.

Widing commended Gloucester County WIB Chair Hosea Johnson for his service on the
SETC’s governance committee, which is separate from the Regional Meetings. He is one
of three WIB chairs in New Jersey assigned to this committee.

In addition, a survey was conducted to determine the structures of individual WIBs across
the state. Despite the fact the 17 New Jersey WIBs were created from one federal act, the
Workforce Investment Boards’ make-ups and roles of responsibility are widely diverse.
Widing pointed to a recent US Department of Labor (DOL) compliance review of the
state that determined only four WIBs were fully compliant with regard to required
membership and composition.

There are key responsibilities WIBs are required to perform as outlined by WIA, Widing
said, but they are not necessarily carried out by each board. The US DOL’s compliance
review revealed four SETC requirements that, to date, have not been enacted, but are
designed to monitor WIB operations: a Governor’s certification of local WIBs every two
years (in addition to the 13 WIBs being non-compliant with regard to membership and
make-up, 6 WIBs have not met achievement performances on the local level), the
development and implementation of a state sanction policy, the implementation and

evaluation of state and local workforce systems and the establishment of standards and
the transmission of state regulations on the Eligible Training Provider List.

To achieve compliance, the SETC has developed a “dashboard” that ranks common
measures of statistics for adult, youth and dislocated workers, including employment rate,
retention rate and wage earning rates. The dashboard determines the success of each
WIB in these areas by color-coding the statistics in green, yellow or red to identify
standards of success as well as areas that require improvement. Gloucester County’s
dashboard has been reviewed by the WIB Executive Committee and plans are being
developed to use this tool to benefit the County of Gloucester. Widing said this tool will
be officially launched July 1, and will be updated monthly.

Accompanying the dashboard will be key factors that illustrate demographics and key
economic conditions that affect the statistics “so everyone understands the numbers in
relationship to a specific area’s situation,” Widing said.

WIB Chair, Hosea Johnson assured Ms. Widing that if dashboard findings signal non-
compliance, a plan of action will be created and implemented. He assured her that we
have no desire to be threatened with the possibility of decertification

Throughout this ongoing review process, the emphasis is on success and overview. “In
New Jersey,” Widing said, “local WIBs have oversight of more than 150 million dollars”.
The Gloucester County WIB has oversight of over 3 million dollars which is to be used
for employment and training and related activities. The management and oversight of
these funds is imperative. We need to hold organizations (workforce training vendors)
accountable. We want the managers of the system to step up and pay attention. We need
communication between elected officials and the SETC. If we have to de-certify a board,
we don’t want to see the private sector leave the process. Everyone needs to look back
and say “what do we do now?”

“Rest assured, Gloucester County will be in compliance by July 1,” Johnson said. “We
need to be aware of the dashboard so that its findings are advantageous for us.”

ACT + Roadrunner Café = Success for 2 Young Adults
The Roadrunner Café at Gloucester County College is more than just a place where
students, faculty, and staff can pick up some convenience items or enjoy a break from
their daily routine. It is a place where the people can gain valuable work experience for
their future career, and the Gloucester County Adult Center for Transition (ACT) is
helping people gain access to those employment experiences.

Through the ACT, the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the
Workforce Investment Board are able to support employment opportunities at
establishments like the GCC Roadrunner Café. Daniel Thornton of Washington
Township and Dorian Davis of West Deptford Township have both benefitted by getting
jobs at the Roadrunner Café through the ACT.

Daniel Thornton is 19 years of age and a resident of Washington Township. He describes
himself as being laid back and friendly. He says he makes people smile all the time. Dan
enjoys exercising, riding his speed bike, playing video games and eating at buffets.

Dan attended WTPS from kindergarten through 12th grade. As a high school senior he
enrolled in the shared time Building Trades program offered through the Gloucester
County Institute of Technology (GCIT) Senior Transition to Employment Program
(STEP). Dan feels that STEP afforded him the opportunity to explore the welding,
plumbing, electrical and construction trades to get a better sense of a vocation he might
like to pursue as a high school graduate. Although he enjoyed all of the STEP rotations,
he liked welding best. He is currently enrolled in the post-secondary Welding program at
GCIT and is earning good grades.

Last summer Dan applied through the Gloucester County Adult Center for Transition for
a job at the Roadrunner Café. He said his motivation was to keep busy and earn money.
Dan was hired and, at first, found the job a bit hard. However, he “got used to it quickly
and now LOVES his job.” He is responsible for preparing hot foods and sandwiches and
running the register. He is proud that, when accounting for the day’s receipts, he is
always accurate, “right on the money.” Dan thinks the customers are very nice. He is
proud of the fact that they often place compliments about him in the Suggestion Box.

Dan’s goals for the future include taking more welding courses and getting a job as a
welder. He would like to get into bigger things later in life.

Dorian Davis is 22 years of age. He describes himself as a sensitive, hardworking guy
who is very friendly. He enjoys helping people out and making good money. When he is
not working Dorian likes to relax, use the computer to “Google” information, watch
sports and go out for buffet dinners. He resides in West Deptford, and attended the
Bankbridge Regional High School Career Center program from the fall of 2005 through
June of 2009. As a Career Center student he gained experience in horticulture and also
worked at the WAWA located on the GCIT campus. Dorian graduated from high school

last year. He was the thrilled to have been the recipient of a $400 scholarship from the
Mickelton Garden Club.

Dorian applied for a position at the GCC Roadrunner Café through the Adult Center for
Transition (ACT). He was hired for the job and now works at the Roadrunner Café 3 to 4
days a week from 9:00am-1:30pm. He also holds a job as a bus aide for CJ’s Bus
Company. At Roadrunner Dorian takes care of the fresh foods, cold beverages and
coffee. He also does the dishes and does his utmost to help the customers.

In the future Dorian would like to explore other vocational opportunities. He is interested
in taking care of sick people or working in a school as a teacher aide. He is appreciative
of the help and support of his family, school personnel and his Roadrunner Café bosses.

Joanie DePaul, manager of the GCC Roadrunner Café, commented positively on both
Dan and Dorian as employees of the Roadrunner Café. Both are conscientious and
customer-focused. She stated that Dan has a great work ethic, and customers often praise
Dan. She stated that Dorian takes great pride in his work and is well liked by his co-
workers and the customers. She indicated that many visitors to the Roadrunner Café state
they wish they could go other places where the employees are as nice as her staff.

Dorian Davis and Daniel Thornton are most grateful to the Workforce Investment Board
and the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders for the opportunity to work at
the Roadrunner Café.

March 2010 Career Resource Event
On March 17, 2010, the County Board of Chosen Freeholders with the assistance of the
Department of Economic Development, Workforce Investment Board sponsored its
second Career Resource Event.

“The Career Search Expo at GCC was a great opportunity for residents to learn about the
many programs available that could help them find a job, or maybe change career
direction,” said Freeholder Director Stephen M. Sweeney. “In addition to promoting
Economic Development so business and industry grow in Gloucester County, we also
provided a myriad of programs for its residents so they can find employment.”

Freeholder Joseph A. Brigandi, Jr. noted that Gloucester County’s governmental,
educational and business community are constantly working together to attract new
industry to the region to provide a trained and skilled workforce. “This Career Resource
Event is a snapshot into the career, training, and social service programs that Gloucester
County has to offer,” said Brigandi. He encouraged residents who were out of work, or
not certain of their career’s future to spend the day at the Event and learn what is
available to them and their family.”

Hosted at Gloucester County College (GCC), 43 employers and 21 support agencies
participated in the event. A minimum of 500 residents attended and spent time talking
directly to area employers regarding job opportunities.

Employers and support agencies were located throughout the first floor of the College
Center. Area businesses were accepting resumes for current and future positions.
Several commented in our post event survey that they had hired individuals as a result of
the Career Resource Event. Rochelle Popivchak, of West Deptford Township
commented, “I had a great experience at GCC. It was well organized and there were a
variety of companies representing many career opportunities. I was fortunate to land a
position and I have now been working for the company (Custom Sportswear) for three
weeks. This was a direct result of the job fair.” Based on returned surveys from
employers who participated, 12 individuals to date have obtained employment as a direct
result of this event. Other employers are still in the process of interviewing.

Employers in attendance included: Advanced Drainage Systems, Met Life, Adventure
Aquarium, Bayada Nurses, Bellia Products, ComForcare Senior Services, CompuCom
Systems, Car-Tel Communications, Custom Sportswear, Dare Living Associates, Inc.,
Defense Contract Audit Agency, Diversified Foam Products, Dove Chocolatier, Emerson
Personnel Group, Fastenal, H&R Block Deptford, Home Helpers, INTEGRA Services
Technologies, Kennedy Health Systems, Lowes Home Improvement, Manhattan
Management, Martin Marketing, Market America, Mary Kay Cosmetics, My Debt
Resolution Services, NuStar, Office of Civil Rights, Pathfinder LLC, Pepco Holdings,
Inc., PNC Bank, Primerica Financial Services, RF7, SERVPRO of Woodbury, South
Jersey Federal Credit Union, St. John of God, Target Corporation, TD Bank, The ARC of

Gloucester, TRS Staffing Solutions, TruGreen, Underwood Memorial Hospital, US
Census, and WD Fuller Insurance Agency

Support agencies were able to provide guidance on support services such as childcare,
utility bills, health-care insurance, and unemployment benefits to aid struggling
individuals. Those in attendance included: Abilities Center, American Red Cross,
Center for Family Services, Devereaux NJ, DVR, GC Chamber of Commerce, GC
Division of Social Services, GC Health Dept., GC Library, GC Office of Educational &
Disability Services, GC One Stop Career Center, GC Veterans Affairs, Margaret Heegan
Library, Job Corps, NJ Place, NJ Shares, People for People, Robin’s Nest, Tri County
CAP, United Way and USDOL – Apprenticeship Bureau.

There were seven (7) one-hour workshops offered between 10 am – 1 pm, most of which
were attended by 20 or more resident participants. Many residents took full advantage of
the workshops and participated in several throughout the day.

The workshops covered topics from resume writing, networking, and financial planning
to interviewing and job hunting, providing both information and tactics for achieving
career goals. Resources and guidance on support services such as childcare, utility bills,
health-care insurance, and unemployment benefits to aid struggling individuals and
families was also available

A post-event survey was sent to all of the participating employers, and the vast majority
responded that the event was productive for them and that they would return to
participate in a future event. The majority of employers thought it was a worthwhile use
of their time and our efforts.

We anticipate conducting another Career Resource Event in the near future. As of this
time, a date has not been determined.