Description

North Jersey Partners, through an Opportunity Trust Fund grant, awarded William Paterson University (WPU) $240,000 to provide high level comprehensive job training to 200 individuals age 16+ years old in three of North Jersey Partners' targeted market sectors: Transportation, Logistics, and Distribution; Healthcare and Life Sciences; and Entertainment, Arts, and Retail. Participants in this training program come from the counties served by the WIRED grant - Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Union, Sussex, and Warren.

This high level Comprehensive Job Training Program (CJT) is comprised of seven career tracks, 10 certificate programs, and 18 individual courses designed to prepare unemployed participants for new careers and to assist those seeking career advancement to achieve their goals.

Partnerships with major industry organizations, corporate leaders, Workforce Investment Boards and educational institutions throughout the eight counties will insure that today's track record for excellence in training and success in job placements will prevail as the scale of WPU's existing programs is expanded to reach a broader audience.

The CJT includes career tracks, career advisement, job search preparation, internships and job referrals, not just classes. Participants meet with a personal career counselor who conducts an "entrance interview" and serves as an advisor who works with them to determine what career track best suits their current skill level and future job prospects. Each participant takes an average of 3 different courses to complete their track. Special courses designed to improve interviewing and job search skills are also included in the program.

Individuals Served

The CJT is structured to address the needs of:

1. unemployed adults;
2. adults seeking job/career advancement; and
3. high school graduates age 16+ years old who are seeking jobs rather than college placement can also enter any of these tracks.

The Healthcare Paraprofessional Program, for example, creates a viable career track within seven months of graduation.

Open Houses

Open Houses are held every Wednesday at William Paterson University, 1600 Valley Road in Wayne, NJ, Room G008. Visitors are given an opportunity to meet privately with the Manager for Grants and Funded Programs, Colleen McGill, as well as the Manager for Workforce Development, MaryAnn Padula, tour the facilities, and meet with the healthcare or computer instructor.

The Open House schedule is as follows:

Career Development Courses

Below are the courses available and dates offered through the Comprehensive Job Training Program. Please contact Colleen McGill at (973) 720-2461 or MaryAnn Padula at (973) 720-3698 for further information.

*Please note that class dates and times are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to take part in the Comprehensive Job Training Program funded by North Jersey Partners?

   Anyone with a high school diploma or a GED that is unemployed or underemployed. All eligible individuals must live or have worked in one of the following counties:

   1. Bergen
   2. Essex
   3. Hudson
   4. Morris
   5. Passaic
   6. Sussex
   7. Union
   8. Warren

2. Do you have to live in New Jersey?

   No, anyone who lives in New York and is receiving New Jersey unemployment is eligible as well as anyone who lives in New Jersey and is receiving New York unemployment as long as you have lived or worked in one of the above counties.

3. What training programs are available?

   There are seven tracks available: a medical assistant program, medical billing and coding; QuickBooks; office management skills, Web design; digital graphics, and supervision, management and leadership. Dates and times are listed above.

4. Are there any charges for the training?

   Yes, they are as follows:

   1. Anyone taking Microsoft Office must pay $60 to take a practice test to prepare he/she for the MCAS Certification exam, and $95 to take the MCAS Certification exam.
   2. Anyone taking the Medical Assistant Program will have to pay for his/her scrubs, stethoscope, CPR certification, and malpractice insurance to cover he/she while working as an intern (100 hours). This cost is approximately $100-$200. Plus you have to pay $60 to sit for the American Registry of Medical Assistants at the end of the course. This certificate will allow you to work in all 50 states.

5. Where can you access the training grant application?

   A copy of the grant application form is attached below so you can e-mail or mail the form back. You can also pass the application on to anyone interested in applying for the training grant.

6. How do you know if you have received the grant?

   Once the application has been completed and submitted to either Colleen or Mary Ann, it will be reviewed and then you will be notified if you have been approved and when your classes begin.

7. NOTE - Medical Assistant Program

   All applicants for this program must attend an Open House on any Wednesday (as soon as possible) between 10 a.m. to noon to meet with Yolanda Evgeniou. Yolanda approves or denies an application based on her interview with each applicant.

Training Grant Application

Click here to download the application form