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500-PLUS JOB SEEKERS ATTEND 2026 GREATER RARITAN JOB FAIR

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board thanks all the partners and attendees who made the 2026 Greater Raritan Job Fair on May 19 a grand success.

Job Fair attendees from around Central and North Jersey met with 56 employers and agency representatives Tuesday.

The GRWDB sends a special thank you to the volunteers and committee leads for the event’s host partner, the Hindu Temple and Cultural Society. They made sure everyone felt welcome during the event. In addition, the Somerset County, NJ Public Works teams brought tables to the temple and set up signage the week before, and team members from different divisions of the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development helped promote the event and then supported its smooth running. The event also was supported by the excellent work of Fernandel Almonor, Greater Raritan’s One-Stop Operator, and the small but mighty GRWDB staff, Jeanne Cassano, Chika Okoye and Nekishia Brown.

Left to right, GRWDB Board Chair Nichelle Santos, Vice-Chair Claudia Goddiess and Jose Cruz of APEX Building Services.

Sofia Bandeira of the One-Stop Career Training Center presents information during a career workshop Tuesday.

All this hard work paid off – the GRWDB received very positive feedback from the employers and nonprofit agencies in attendance who shared information and collected resumes from job seeker. In all, more than 500 job seekers walked through the job fair during a very busy three-hour period. While many were from Somerset and Hunterdon counties, there also attendees from Middlesex, Mercer, Warren, Union, Essex and other New Jersey counties as well as from Pennsylvania.

In addition to meeting with employer representatives to share resumes and gather career-related information from a number of state and county agencies, attendees also had the opportunity to attend a workshop offered by Sofia Bandeira, with the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Training Center. Bandeira presented an overview of available system services.

One of employers at the event was the Superior Court of New Jersey – Vicinage 13. While the process for reviewing applications has started and is ongoing, they agency is already assisting eight attendees with resume review, finding potentially aligned positions and applying, and working with a recent law school graduate to identify a judicial clerkship. This the type of story that demonstrates the value of the workforce development efforts by the GRWDB and its partners.

Attendees also included GRWDB Vice-Chair Claudia Goddiess, who was at the event once again as an employer vendor for APEX Building Services, and GRWDB Chair Nichelle Santos, who came to talk with employers and job seekers.

For more information on other upcoming career-related events, go to the Events – Calendar tab of www.thegrwdb.org where all career-related programs and events are listed.

Job Fair attendees had the opportunity to meet network and learn about job opportunities and local services.

GREATER RARITAN ONE-STOP HOSTING JERSEY JOB CLUB WORKSHOP SERIES IN MAY AND JUNE

The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center in Somerville is hosting a series of Jersey Job Club Workshops in May and June. The 90-minute-long job seeker-focused workshops will be presented in two monthly series — one virtual, through Zoom, and one in-person (limited seating) at the One-Stop Career Center, 75 Veterans Memorial Drive, Somerville.

The partners in the Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center have the expertise and knowledge to lead these workshops which are aimed at assisting job seekers in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties attain their career goals. There is no charge to attend any of the sessions which will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the following dates.

Monday, May 11: Top Notch Resume 1 and 2 – virtual
Tuesday, May 12: Acing the Interview 1 and 2 – virtual
Wednesday, May 13: Path to Employment and Networking – virtual
Tuesday, May 26: Acing the Interview 1 and 2 – in-person
Wednesday, May 27: Path to Employment and Networking – in-person
Monday, June 8: Top Notch Resume 1 and 2 – virtual
Tuesday, June 9: Acing the Interview 1 and 2 – virtual
Wednesday, June 10: Path to Employment and Networking – virtual
Monday, June 22: Top Notch Resume 1 and 2 – in-person
Tuesday, June 23: Acing the Interview 1 and 2 – in-person
Wednesday, June 24: Path to Employment and Networking – in-person

To attend virtually or in person, fill out an information/registration form. Once completed, email it to shiela.gaa@dol.nj.gov by the Wednesday before the scheduled workshop, or for more information or assistance, call 908-704-3000.vide updated listings on its website home page and calendar as well as on its mobile platform.

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. 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 908-460-8144 to sign up.

APRIL 30 PATHWAYS TO THE FUTURE EVENT CELEBRATED 2026 NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

Nearly 100 exhibitors and community members attended Pathways to the Future, a celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, which took place on April 30 at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg.

The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board’s Youth Committee hosted Pathways to the Future, a free in-person celebration for National Apprenticeship Week 2026 , at the Raritan Valley Community College Conference Center in Branchburg on Thursday, April 30.

This event was open to middle school, high school and college-age youth as well as recent graduates and other job seekers and more than 60 community members were in attendance. Pathways to the Future event was one of hundreds conducted around the country during the last week in April to highlight the ways apprenticeships are being used in a growing variety of occupations to provide needed services and provide lifelong career pathway opportunities.

Businesses and union organizations, school programs, service providers, governmental agencies and other entities took part in the event as exhibitors and used this opportunity to network and talk about their programs with attendees. In addition, a light meal was available, courtesy of ShopRite of Hunterdon.

The event also included a conversation about apprenticeship opportunities moderated by GRWDB Director Paul Grzella. Chris Lee with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship, discussed the value of apprenticeship as a career-development pathway while Conrad Mercurius, with RVCC’s Workforce Training Center, discussed how the college supports apprenticeship pathways for students. Marie Danielle Vil-Young of A Votre Service Events and Claus Holmgaard, a longtime employee of from Schaible’s Plumbing, Heating and Water Treatment talked about apprenticeships and careers associated with their businesses, reflecting the growing diversity of the apprenticeship model.

Organizations registered to attend as of April 23 include A Votre Service Events LLC | AVS Events and Floral Art Institute, Associated Construction Contractors of NJ (ACCN), Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Hunterdon County Vocational School, Indigo Station LLC, Middle Earth, Qunnections Management Group, LLC, Raritan Valley Community College, Schaible`s Plumbing, United States Air Force, U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship, Vanguard Energy Partners and Visions & Pathways.

There was no charge to attend this workforce development event as an exhibitor or as attendee.

For more information about GRWDB partner services and to join the GRWDB Youth Committee, email info@thegrwdb.org. The agendas for Youth Committee meetings are available on the Events – Meeting Packages tab of the GRWDB website.

For more information on apprenticeships, for employers and job seekers, visit apprenticeship.gov.

The GRWDB apprenticeship event include a panel discussion, with, left to right, Chris Lee with the U.S. DOL Office of Apprenticeship, Marie Danielle Vil-Young of A Votre Service Events, Conrad Mercurius of Raritan Valley Community College, and Claus Holmgaard of Schaible’s Plumbing, Heating and Water Treatment. GRWDB Director Paul Grzella, far right, moderated the discussion.

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 908-460-8144 to sign up. Email info@thegrwdb.org. or call 908-541-5790.

LEARN ABOUT HOURS AND SERVICES OF THE GREATER RARITAN ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER PARTNERS

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 Somerville Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center Employment Services office and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) office at 75 Veterans Memorial Blvd. 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. To schedule an appointment, use this form.

The Flemington Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center at 8 Bartles Corner Road 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 908-541-5780; email onestop@co.somerset.nj.us.

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.

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 908-460-8144 to sign up.

APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR 2026 SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM IN HUNTERDON AND SOMERSET COUNTIES

Dozens of employers and hundreds of young people in Hunterdon and Somerset counties have applied to take part in the 2026 Summer Youth Work Experience Program sponsored by the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB).

This is the seventh consecutive year that the GRWDB is sponsoring the summer youth program with funding from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). It is one of 10 NJDOL-funded programs around the state. The Greater Raritan SYWEP has served 321 youth in providing work experience with 145 employers since its inception. This includes 94 youth and 33 employers in 2025.

Because the NJDOL reduced funding statewide for this year’s program, the GRWDB received a state grant of $169,061.00 to support up to 45 paid work experiences. In addition, the GRWDB is reallocating some of its other state youth funding to support up to another 10 to 15 positions, dependent on youth eligibility requirements associated with this funding.

For this year’s program, youth participants can work any 200-hour period between May 19 to October 16. Participants must be between the ages of 16 and 24 and can be in school or out of school. GRWDB staff are currently reviewing more than 200 youth participant applications received by the May 4 deadline. Those accepted into the program will work 180 hours with the employer and complete another 20 hours of online and in-person career-readiness training and peer coaching sessions directed by the GRWDB. The youth participant’s tax-free stipend will be $17.00 an hour, for a total of $3,400.00, if all 200 hours are completed.

Any private or public employer of any size in Hunterdon and Somerset counties with available part-time positions were invited to apply to be an employer participant. By the May 5 deadline, the GRWDB received 28 employer applications from a range of private businesses as well as municipal and county government agencies.

“While we are disappointed that the program’s funding was reduced, we know that those who participate will continue to benefit from the experience,” said Jeanne Cassano, the GRWDB’s contract compliance and engagement specialist and coordinator for the summer youth program. “Last year, three participants stayed on with their employers, which puts the GRWDB’s mission of connecting job seekers and businesses into action.”

Cassano and program staff are now working to match eligible youth applicants with the available positions. Employers and youth also will talk prior to the matches being finalized, with the goal of youth participants beginning their work experiences throughout June.

“Because of the reduced funding, competition is tighter this year for employer and youth applicants, but the team is working with all stakeholders to have another successful year,” GRWDB Director Paul Grzella said.

Anyone with questions can contact Cassano at jcassano@somersetcountynj.gov or call 908-541-5785.

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AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE ASSISTED 147 RVCC STUDENTS - SO FAR

During 2025, 85 more students benefited from the Raritan Valley Community College Scholarship Program supported by the Somerset Board of County Commissioners with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

With the 2025 round of scholarships, a total of 147 students from Somerset and Hunterdon Counties have used the funding over the past three-plus years 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 two commissioner boards.

“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 nine in the manufacturing program. In 2025, 82 students in the college’s new multi-part aseptic cleaning program benefited from the scholarships while two students in the college’s pharmacy tech program received scholarships. All these pathway programs are housed in RVCC’s Workforce Training Center; in the aseptic program, some recipients are employees at Johnson & Johnson using the program to support expanded opportunities at the company’s Somerset County location.

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 at the end of 2024, Somerset County allocated an additional $200,000 in funding that is available through the end of 2026.

“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 26, 2025, 139 Somerset County residents/workers 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.

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 more than $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.

EMPLOYERS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN TWO FREE CAREER-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

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. Hunterdon County businesses may contact Christina Shockley at 908-788-1119 or by email at yes@hcvsd.org. Somerset County businesses may contact Khuti Moses at 908-569-5401 or by email at kmoses@middleearthnj.org.

EXPERIENCED TALENT RECRUITMENT EVENT IN FLEMINGTON SEES IMMEDIATE HIRES

Daphne Hilton, left, and Shiela Gaa with the Greater Raritan state Employment Services team shared information about career programs in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

The in-person Experienced Talent Recruitment presented by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) on Thursday, April 30, at the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce on Main Street in Flemington drew nearly 60 job seekers who had the opportunity to share how their work experiences could assist a hiring employer. The event also job seekers looking to dip back into the employment scene. While the event focused on employers with full- and part-time hiring opportunities for experienced workers, 55 years and older, all job seekers were invited to attend.

These job seekers met with 14 employers who were ready to hire with the assistance of the event’s unique resume-matching process. Based on preliminary feedback, employers reported that five individuals were hired that week, and more job placements are possible.

The next quarterly targeted recruitment is set for July 23 at the Somerset County Human Services Building at 27 Warren Street in Somerville. Look for details starting in mid-June. For more upcoming job fair and career events, see go to the constantly updated calendar on www.theGRWDB.org.

The week prior to the event, the GRWDB also presented a virtual workshop presented by Anthony Sharp Jr., a Workforce Development Professional, national Workshop Leader, and Certified Digital Career Strategist. His well-received workshop attracted more than 85 participants who were able to ask him a multitude of questions after his presentation was completed. Sharp will continue to present virtual workshops prior to the remaining two 2026 quarterly recruitment events.

Greater Raritan One-Stop Operator Fernandel Almonor waits for job seekers to arrive prior to the start of the Experienced Talent Recruitment event conducted on April 30 in Flemington.

For the summer event, employers will again be available for informational discussions, and some employers will do on-site interviews. For these targeted events, registration is appreciated but not mandatory, unless a job seeker wants to be considered for an interview by some of the participating employers. The event’s registration form will include an updated list of employers, and instructions for interview and resume sharing will accompany registration confirmation. Walk-ins are welcome.

For questions about the July recruitment as well as other local career programs, email info@thegrwdb.org.