A dozen healthcare employers based in Somerset and Hunterdon counties will be featured at a Tuesday, January 14, in-person Healthcare Recruitment Event. The event, presented by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB), will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at 27 Warren St., Somerville.

While registration is appreciated, those who pre-register may be considered for pre-scheduled on-site interviews being conducted by some of the participating employers. In addition, as part of this event, attendees can take part in a virtual Mastering the Interview virtual workshop on Tuesday, January 7.

Among the employers scheduled to be in attendance on January 14 are:

• ArchAngels Services in Somerville
• Bright Star Care in Clinton
• Hackensack Meridian Health/Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead
• Hunterdon Healthcare in Flemington
• com in Flemington
• Matheny Medical and Education Center in Peapack-Gladstone
• Right at Home in Hillsborough
• RWJ Barnabas Health in Somerville
• Spring Point in Somerset
• Stonebridge at Montgomery
• The Arc of Hunterdon County
• Zufall Health Center in Somerville.

The employers have dozens of job openings. Position titles include Registered Nurse, Medical Assistant, Licensed Practical Nurse, Home Health Aide, Certified Nurse Assistant, Certified Home Health Aide, Pharmacy Technician, Companion Caregiver, Patient Care Assistant, Housekeeping, Food Service Aide, Receptionist, Scheduling Coordinator and many more.

Employers will be available for informational discussions and more. To register, use the QR code in this flyer or go to https://bit.ly/416Mscd. The registration form includes an updated list of employers, and instructions for resume sharing to be considered for the on-site interviews will accompany registration confirmation. Walk-ins are welcome but on-site interviews may not be possible.

To help prepare for the event, attendees are invited to the January 7 Mastering the Interview virtual workshop, running from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The event, hosted by the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board and its partners, will be presented Jan Goodman, a certified workforce development professional for the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Training Services Center.

Participants will explore how to prepare for an interview, become familiar with questions to expect, and ask the question they should think about asking.

Workshop registration is optional but appreciated. While this workshop is connected to the January 14 recruitment event, it is open to all interested job seekers. To register, email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us. To join the workshop, go to https://zoom.us/j/98614134489.

The recruitment event is the first in a new series of quarterly sector-focused job fairs being planned by the GRWDB and its partners. Check back on the GRWDB website calendar for details on these and other career-related events.

For questions about either the January 7 workshop or January 14 event, email info@thegrwdb.org. or call 908-541-5790.

About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board
The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. More information about these programs can be found on thegrwdb.org, including stories on initiatives, a resource tab for job seekers, and an updated calendar of events. Weekly text alerts highlight career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Text “one-stop” to 565-12 to sign up.

This month, 15 more students benefited from the Raritan Valley Community College Scholarship Program, which is supported by the Somerset and Hunterdon Boards of County Commissioners and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

With the latest round of scholarships, a total of 62 students in the two counties have used the funding to support their career-focused educational efforts. The scholarship program began in the fall of 2022, when a portion of funds received from the ARPA was allocated by the commissioner boards in the two counties to need-based career scholarships for training programs in high-demand industries offered at the Branchburg-based RVCC. The scholarships were made possible through recommendations and collaboration between the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) and the Hunterdon and Somerset County Boards of Commissioners.

This summer and fall, the commissioner boards of both counties directed additional ARPA funding to continue the in-demand career scholarship program, with the Somerset County commissioners allocating $200,000 in funding that will be available in 2025 and 2026.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the grant from Somerset County,” said Somerset, Franklin, resident Dawna Scott, one of 43 students who used the scholarship fund to complete RVCC’s Phlebotomy Program. “I am optimistic that my participation in the Phlebotomy Lab Assistance course at RVCC will lead to employment opportunities in the phlebotomy sector. The course was well-organized, and the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience was highly beneficial.”

The skills taught in the course and the teacher leading the course have helped Rachel Price of Somerville become stronger and more confident. “Thank you for this opportunity,” she added. “Thank you for some valuable life lessons I learned while here and thank you for giving me confidence to believe in myself in this new journey.”

In addition to the phlebotomy technician program students, since the program began four received scholarships in the electrocardiogram (ECG) technician program, seven in the welding program and eight in the manufacturing program. All these pathway programs are housed in RVCC’s Workforce Training Center.

The career-training scholarship program began in 2022 with a request for funding from the GRWDB. As a result of the request, the Boards of Commissioners allocated from 2022 to 2024 a total of $106,546 to the RVCC Career Scholarship grant program. Somerset County students received $88,000, and Hunterdon County students obtained $18,546 in scholarship funding. The initial funding was available until the end of 2024, and the additional funding allocated by Somerset County will be available over the next two years.

“Hunterdon County’s partnership with RVCC and the GRWDB is truly paying dividends for students in Hunterdon County,” said Hunterdon County Commissioner Zachary Rich, liaison to the GRWDB.

As of December 18, 2024, 54 Somerset County residents and eight Hunterdon County residents have received scholarships. The scholarships pay for the program training costs as well as for related book and exam fees, and as-needed background and liability insurance.

“Somerset County is pleased to continue partnering with the GRWDB and RVCC to help our students gain the skills and certifications necessary for good-paying jobs in new and exciting industries,” said Somerset County Commissioner Doug Singleterry, liaison to the GRWDB. “The $200,000 in new scholarships is a down payment not just for this year’s 23 scholarship recipients, but for Somerset County’s economic future.”

The scholarship recipients come from all communities in the two counties. In Somerset County, Bridgewater and Franklin had 10 students each, and the other recipients came from Bedminster, Bernards, Branchburg, Bound Brook, Far Hills, Green Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan Borough, Somerville, Warren and Watchung. In Hunterdon County, students came from Annandale, Flemington, Lebanon, Milford and Whitehouse Station. Recipients ranged in age and life experiences, with some employed, others seeking employment, and some are new Americans. All recipients were excited to venture into a new career.

Shaunalee Cunningham expressed her “sincere thanks for your generous support. This scholarship will significantly ease the financial burden of my education and allow me to fully focus on achieving my academic goals. I am honored to be selected and promise to make the most of this opportunity.”

Another student said the scholarship came at important point in her life, because she has been on disability and has been unable to work, so this helps her alleviate her current economic situation.

“The scholarships allow breathing room for students who may otherwise be faced with the choice of paying for education or paying for rent or healthcare,” said GRWDB Board Member Joanne Hala.

To view Career Training opportunities at Raritan Valley Community College, visit https://www.raritanval.edu/career-training.

To learn more about the RVCC Career Scholarship grant program, email Maryam Sheikh at the Workforce Training Center of RVCC at Maryam.Sheikh@raritanval.edu.

More information about the GRWDB, its program partners and area workforce system services can be found at www.thegrwdb.org.

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB)
The GRWDB oversees $4 million annually in federal-, state- and county-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. In recent years, it has expanded its footprint of services and programs, to ensure that it is connecting job seekers to career-development pathway opportunities around the region.

Walk-in, appointment, virtual and phone services are available to career seekers in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties through the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center offices and partners in Somerville and Flemington.

• The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center Employment Services office and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) office at 75 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Somerville are open for walk-in services 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding state holidays. For information on Employment Services, call 908-704-3000. For information on DVRS, call 908-704-3030.
• The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Training Center on the second floor of 27 Warren St. in Somerville is open for walk-in services from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding county holidays. Call 908-541-5780; email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us.
• The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center at 6 Gauntt Place in Flemington is open for walk-in services 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, and by appointment on Thursday and Friday, as well as phone and virtual services, excluding county holidays. Call 908-237-0016; email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us.

While walk-in service is available at all these offices, appointments are encouraged to ensure staff will be available as needed by career seekers looking for assistance with job search, resume assistance, training assistance and general career questions. These offices also have public-use computers available for career-related work.

Staff members of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) are available for walk-in and appointment service from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of 27 Warren St. in Somerville. Call 908-541-5790 or email info@thegrwdb.org.

For more information on general system services, visit the home page of www.thegrwdb.org. For the English-language flyer with an overview of services, click here. For the Spanish-language flyer with an overview of services, click here.

Unemployment assistance is not available at any Greater Raritan location. Those with unemployment questions may call 732-761-2020 or visit https://myunemployment.nj.gov to explore additional resources or make an appointment for in-person assistance at one of 13 locations around the state.

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. Weekly text alerts highlight career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Text “onestop” to 565-12 to sign up.

Literacy classes offered by the partners of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development will resume in February. The offerings include the spring classes of First Steps Basic English, a free English-language learning program for residents of Somerset County. First Steps classes will run from February 2025 to June 2025, and the application has closed.

The program, funded through 2026 by the Somerset County Board of Commissioners through funds from the American Rescue Plan, is part of the free adult literacy programs for English-language learners in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

First Steps Basic English has served more than 150 individuals since being launched as a pilot in September of 2023. For 2025, classes and small group instruction will continue to be offered around Somerset County, including in: Bernardsville, Bound Brook, Franklin Township, Hillsborough, Manville, North Plainfield, Raritan Borough and Somerville, as well as on Zoom.

The program funds a Literacy Navigator, based with the Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County (LVSC). Stella Nieves, the Literacy Navigator, will work with applicants to try to place them in the different planned classes and small groups based on the applicant’s residence and program space availability. As participants go through classes, she also continues to work with them and their teachers, to see if the participants’ progress makes them eligible to participate in other literacy programs available through different vendors.

Space is limited for the First Steps Basic English program, and waiting lists are developed. Applicants also may be referred to other literacy services in the county as appropriate. For more information, email snieves@literacysomerset.org or visit www.thegrwdb.org/esl.

Providers of the program include LVSC, Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) and the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission (HCECS), working with the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB). Libraries throughout the county also support the initiative by providing space for the classes and small-group instruction. These partners are part of the GRWDB’s Literacy Committee, which seeks to share information about and expand the effectiveness of the free literacy programs in both Hunterdon and Somerset Counties.

Other existing literacy programs offered by First Steps partners in Hunterdon and Somerset counties receive separate state and federal funding. Testing and placement are ongoing for these services and conducted in the late summer/early fall and winter. These include:

RVCC: The college offers free literacy and English language skills classes, including some targeted to help individuals prepare for in-demand career opportunities. To learn more, visit raritanval.edu/literacy, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8516, or email Conrad.Mercurius@raritanval.edu, Cynthia.Hynes@raritanval.edu or Maryam.Sheikh@raritanval.edu.

HCESC: The agency offers a variety of free English literacy classes, including English Language Acquisition and high school equivalency classes, in locations around Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. To find out more, visit hunterdonesc.org and click on the Adult Programs/English Classes or High School Equivalency links, or email adultliteracy@hunterdonesc.org, or zcastroabrica@hunterdonesc.org (Spanish).

Other literacy service providers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties:

LVSC: For more information about other services, including one-on-one tutoring, volunteering or becoming a tutor, call 908-725-5430, or visit LiteracySomerset.org.

Hunterdon Helpline, ESL: Volunteers at Hunterdon Helpline provide free literacy services through custom, one-on-one, barrier-free individual instruction, for beginner to advanced English language levels. To obtain an application, email literacy@helplinehc.com, call 908-782-4357, or visit www.helplinehc.org.

About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board
The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. More information about these programs can be found on https://www.thegrwdb.org , including stories on initiatives, a Resource tab for job seekers, and an updated calendar of events. Weekly text alerts highlight career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Text “onestop” to 565-12 to sign up. Email info@thegrwdb.org or call 908-541-5790.

More than 140 community members, employers and agency representatives attended Somerset County’s first Veterans Resource, Job and Wellness Fair, conducted on Thursday, October 10, at the Senior Wellness Center at Bridgewater, 876 E. Main St. Scenes from the event, taken by Tyler Brown of the Somerset County Public Information Office, are shared here.

 This free event offered valuable resources and information about services, health and wellness, employment, networking opportunities and more. County Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson presented a brief keynote, thanking the 50 local employers and agencies for their support of the Veteran community. Among the employers in attendance were American Water, Bridgewater Marriot, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Air Marshal Service, Fiserv, Johnson & Johnson and the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Several local and Somerset County agencies also were in attendance. Job seekers in attendance said they were able to make many positive connections while getting needed information from local agencies.

If you were unable to attend, please click here to see a list of the participating business and employers.

About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board: The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. For more information about board services, visit www.thegrwdb.org. Text “onestop” to 565-12.

Businesses in Hunterdon and Somerset counties can get no-cost employment assistance with two Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB)-sponsored projects: a new Employment Pipeline Initiative and the board’s ongoing Youth Work Experience program,

Employment Pipeline Initiative

The Employment Pipeline Initiative, recently launched by Fernandel Almonor, Greater Raritan’s One-Stop Operator, aims to link employers in the two counties to the qualified talent pool assisted by partners in the local workforce system.

The Employment Pipeline can be utilized by businesses of all sizes and types. This includes healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, IT and more. This new service comes at no cost businesses – the program’s aim is to save employers time and resources in acquiring new staff.

To register for and join the pipeline initiative, use this registration link or QR code in this flyer. For more information, contact Almonor at falmonor@co.somerset.nj.us.

Youth Work Experience Program

Employers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties can help prepare the next generation of workers by hosting a 20-hour, paid work experience for young people, ages 16 to 24, who are involved in the GRWDB’s YES Visions program. YES provides its youth participants with employment readiness skills to prepare them for the workforce, and experiencing a local workforce site is key to the program’s success.

Middle Earth, the vendor for the Visions program, provides a stipend for the youth during their work experience and supports the placements for the youth and employers. A variety of work experiences are needed for the program participants.

More details are available in this flyer; local businesses may contact Alexis Williams, the program coordinator, at awilliams@middlearthnj.org.

About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board
The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. More information about business programs can be found on the Resources – Employers page of www.thegrwdb.org. Email info@thegrwdb.org or call 908-541-5790.

The registration line was busy at the 2024 Greater Raritan Job Fair conducted on June 4 at the Hindu Temple in Bridgewater.

Job seekers from eight New Jersey counties as well as Pennsylvania and Virginia were looking for new careers at the Greater Raritan 2024 Job Fair, conducted at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society on Route 202-206 in Bridgewater on Tuesday, June 4.

During the busy four-hour free event, more than 450 job seekers walked through the vast halls of the complex, talking with 120 hiring managers and representatives of nearly 80 businesses in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, as well as four surrounding counties.

With more than 700 jobs, employers represented banking, healthcare, finance, government, nonprofit, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, education, social service, and other sectors, and some presented statewide and national opportunities. Several state and federal agencies also took part, either to recruit for employees or to provide information on career-related services.

If you couldn’t make it to the event, click here to view the employer and agency registrants, and to see the job titles the employers are trying to fill.

Many of the community members in attendance were looking for IT positions, but others were looking for finance, healthcare and manufacturing jobs, as well as entry-level positions. Some were relatively new to the workforce while others were individuals looking for opportunities because of a recent layoff or desire to find a new role. All in attendance had the opportunity to talk directly to hiring managers or business owners.

Career seekers talk with employers during the June 4 Greater Raritan Job Fair conducted at the Hindu Temple in Bridgewater.

After the event, several businesses said they identified candidates for the open position and were in the process of setting up interviews.

The event also featured information on career resources a job seeker workshop focusing on a career assessment tool, “Multiple Natures,” presented by the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Training Center Career Coach Jan Goodman.

This third annual event was presented by The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board and the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development in collaboration with the temple. In addition to providing the space, the temple also gave a free lunch to all employers.

About the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board
The GRWDB oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. More information about these programs can be found on https://www.thegrwdb.org , including stories on initiatives, a Resource tab for job seekers, and an updated calendar of events. Weekly text alerts highlight career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. Text “onestop” to 565-12 to sign up.

Businesses in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties are invited to attend one of a series of webinars to learn how SkillUp Greater Raritan can be used to provide free upskilling training to staff. The sessions will be conducted at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of the month onNovember 21 and December. 19, 2024. During each session, there will be examples of how local employers are using the platform for staff training and participants will also learn about other GRWDB paid-training opportunities for businesses.

Any of the Thursday webinars can be joined by going to https://meet.goto.com/510433933.

The SkillUp Greater Raritan Metrix Learning^® platform is a free online learning-management system featuring more than 7,000 courses, which can be done individually or with cohorts. The $199 per person cost of the employee training program will be covered by Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) grant dollars.

Employers can choose a preset learning path, or they can customize the employee learning system to fit their needs. Metrix Learning^® personnel will collaborate with employers to create a program that fits their learning needs. This easy online learning-management system will also keep track of employees’ course progress, course completion, and hours of training.

SkillUp Greater Raritan can be used for the following:

• New Hires – Onboarding standards
• Career Ascendancy – Identify skills for promotion
• Managers/Supervisors – Skill development for managers, new and old
• Technology Training – Ensure staff are familiar with current best practices.

Employers interested in getting started with this program immediately may email info@thegrwdb.org or call 908-541-5790.

Individuals can use SkillUp, too 

This employer-focused initiative aims to broaden how SkillUp is used in the two counties. The GRWDB introduced SkillUp Greater Raritan to its menu of services in February of 2020. Over the past three-plus years, more than 4,000 job seekers in the two counties have used the platform to develop their workplace, digital and interpersonal skills. Individuals who sign up get a free six-month, 24/7 account to use to reach their career goals. Residents can get free access by going to www.thegrwdb.org and clicking on the Resources – SkillUp Greater Raritan tab.

To learn more, residents are invited to attend a series of introductory webinars being conducted at 3 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in 2024. For log-in information, go to the calendar tab of www.thegrwdb.org and click on the webinar date. For questions, email info@thegrwdb.org or call 908-541-5790.

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board oversees federally and state-funded career and employment services for businesses and residents in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

Through policy, oversight, and planning The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) ensures that workforce training and education are responsive to and meet the needs of employers and job seekers.

Your local workforce system, serving Hunterdon and Somerset counties, continues to evolve how it provides services and reaches out to the community about those services. The GRWDB is part of statewide workforce system that connects employers and residents to a range of in-person and virtual career-related services, including the tens of thousands of open positions available in New Jersey.

Working with the Somerset County Public Information Office, system partners collaborated on videos to explain our mission, vision and services for employers and job seekers in these ever-changing times.

Go here to hear about our services for employers. Employers also can go to the resources/employers tab on our website for more links and information.

Go here to hear about our services for job seekers. Job seekers also can go to the resources / job seekers tab on our website for more links and information.

Go here to hear about the Youth Employment Services (YES) Program.

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board and its partners offer a variety of free programs and resources to assist job seekers. This includes assistance with job search, resume reviews, career counseling, career-related webinars and workshops, information on training grants for unemployed and underemployed individuals, and connection to career services for low-income residents. Additional free resources available in Hunterdon and Somerset counties include Greater Raritan Resume Portal, SkillUp Greater Raritan, and a variety of literacy services highlighted in this English-language flyer and this Spanish-language flyer. More details on the Local Area’s literacy services may be found at https://www.thegrwdb.org/ESL.

In addition, the GRWDB and state partners provide a variety of services to employers, including Virtual Information Sessions and in-person Recruitment Events for companies hiring in the two counties, as well as On-the-Job Training and Incumbent Worker Training opportunities to support workforce development. Go to the Resources – Employers tab of www.thegrwdb.org.

Details on new and ongoing programs and events for job seekers and employes can be found in the constantly updated Events/Calendar tab of www.thegrwdb.org/.

Service models offered by Greater Raritan One-Stop partners reflect what is happening and is wanted by customers today, with hybrid models offering appointment in-person services along with a virtual suite of services.

• The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Training Service Center at 27 Warren St., second floor, in Somerville is open for walk-in career-related services 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.  Call 908-541-5780 or email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us.
• Walk-in career-related services are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday at the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center at 6 Gauntt Place in Flemington. Appointment-only services are available Thursday and Friday. Call 908-237-0016 or email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us.
• Staff members at the Greater Raritan One-Stop / Employment Services Center and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) at 75 Veterans Memorial Drive in Somerville are available for walk-in service as well as in-person and phone appointments seeking career-related services.  Offices are open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding state holidays. To schedule an appointment with Employment Services in Somerville, call 908-704-3000; in Flemington, call 908-782-2371. Contact DVRS at 908-704-3030. Residents also can fill out this virtual form to detail what help they need; the completed form will be directed to local officials for direct response.

While walk-ins are welcomed at the offices, appointments are encouraged to ensure staff availability. Staff in all offices also assist customers over the phone, via email and through virtual appointments, and a virtual orientation session for new customers is conducted on Friday mornings by Training Center staff. Virtual career-webinars also continue, as do virtual and in-person job fairs.

PathStone provides customized, people-centered professional development services leading to portable skills and enhanced employability for diverse individuals, including unemployed and under-employed mature workers aged 55+. Call 609-498-0800 or email gargant@pathstone.org.

Learn more about Greater Raritan services

The Greater Raritan One-Stop Training Services Center team also created a fun and informative series of videos called P.E.P. (Preparing for Employment Possibilities) Talks. Watch:

• Meet the Team
• What Does Your E-Mail Address Say About You
• Sending Professional E-mails
• Online Resources
• Foundations of Resumes
• ITAs and Tuition Waivers
• Phone Etiquette
• Interview Questions
• Tour of the Flemington One-Stop
• Tour of the Somerville One-Stop
• Social Media and Your Job Search
• Cover Letters
• Interview Questions

System services assist a variety of populations and residents. These includes programs for residents of either county receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, General Assistance or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. As part of this program effort, the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board offers a Chromebook Loaner Program for eligible participants. Another targeted service is the Youth Employment Services Program (YES Program), for out-of-school youth, ages 16 to 24, in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.  Learn more by reading this program brochure, in English and Spanish.

Learn more about New Jersey services

Career services for job seekers also are highlighted on the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s website.  Start with My Career NJ, a state interactive digital hub – accessible in English and Spanish – centralizing personalized career resources. Job seekers visiting My Career NJ can take advantage of training programs, thousands of online classes for upskilling, and career recommendations that fit their skills and aspirations. The site features two new digital career tools: the NJ Training Explorer and the NJ Career Navigator. The Training Explorer enables customized filtering of training programs, provides information on tuition assistance, and gives users insight into the providers that offer programs that meet their skill-building needs. The Career Navigator leverages data and machine learning to generate personalized job and career recommendations that align with each user’s skill set, employment history, and individual professional goals.

Please note: The majority of unemployment-related services are being done online or through a call centers. Residents also can schedule in-person appointments at 13 designated One-Stop Career Center locations throughout New Jersey. (Greater Raritan is NOT among those locations.) Appointments and pre-screening are required; no walk-ins will be served. 

Customers who need to file new Unemployment Insurance claims, update existing claims, have questions about their claims or want to make an make an  in-person appointment may go to https://myunemployment.nj.gov;  click on “Check claim status” and then “Schedule Appointments Online,” following the page prompts. If a participant has an issue with UI enrollment or current claim, they can email UIRegionalOffice@dol.nj.gov. Customers unable to access the Internet should call the following numbers: North Jersey, 201-601-4100; Central Jersey, 732-761-2020; Southern Jersey: 856-507-2340. 

There are also numerous state and community programs and resources available to those who need additional support. For information on assistance in the areas of family, food, child care, health, substance use disorder, rent, housing, utilities, and specialized services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic or sexual violence, please visit myunemployment.nj.gov/morehelp.  

Weekly text alerts highlighting career and job opportunities in Somerset and Hunterdon counties are available by texting “onestop” to 565-12. Contact the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board at info@thegrwdb.org or 908-541-5790.

For more information about services for employers, go to the GRWDB website here. For more information about services  for job seekers, go here.