Grant supports job programs at fort
$3M in federal funds will provide job training and other services
BY LORI ANNE OLIWA Correspondent

Workers at Fort Monmouth can rest assured that the employment and job search services currently in place will continue through 2010, due in part to a $3 million National Emergency Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The National Emergency Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the U.S. labor secretary and are designed to assist dislocated workers at state and local levels in response to significant events such as base closings, according to information on the U.S. Department of Labor Web site, www.doleta.gov/NEG.

"This $3 million grant will provide job training and other employment services for these N.J. workers to help them transition to new careers," said U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao in a press release.

According to the press release, the grant will help workers upgrade their skills, expand the pool of workers for existing employers, and also attract potential new companies in the communications, electronics, defense and Homeland Security clusters.

Services to be provided to workers include skill assessments, counseling, case management, job training, job development, job placement and follow-up.

Chao also specified in the press release that $1.5 million has been released initially. Additional funds up to the approved amount would be made available contingent on the state's demonstrating continued need.

N.J. State Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) David J. Socolow confirmed that the funding is actually a continuation of an existing grant and will help the region deal with the departure of a major employer — in this case the United States Army.

"The ultimate goal is to preserve jobs, to help workers make a successful transition, and to recognize and retain our high-tech work force," Socolow stated.

He added, "Our goal is to serve the constituents and the variety of populations that will be affected by the base closure. The work force needs to understand the labor and employment landscape here in the state."

The grant will be administered through LWD in conjunction with the Eatontownbased Fort Monmouth Resource Center, which has been operational since December 2006.

The center is currently responsible for delivery of various employment-related services, according to government representativeAmy Fitzgerald, who oversees operations there.

The grant process was initiated by LWD in 2006, according to Socolow, and resulted in an initial award of $800,000 from the federal government. Those funds were used to open and operate the center.

Fitzgerald confirmed that transition and employment services to affected workers would continue without interruption.

"We will continue to work with the Army to keep these jobs during the transition," Fitzgerald stated. "What we are trying to accomplish is to train people while they are still employed, so there is no lag time between their current employment and their new careers. We want to soften this," she added.

Fitzgerald confirmed that the center provides employment counseling, résumé writing workshops, career exploration exercises and job search services.

"People need targeted job training, especially as we get closer to the actual transition. They will need even more access to information," Fitzgerald added.

Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6th District) was pleased at the announcement.

"I'm pleased obviously. The grant will assist a lot of people — up to 1,100 employees — and keep the initiative moving forward," Pallone stated.

"Though I am opposed to the base closing, it is my hope that the money will be used to keep some of the work force here permanently. That is the idea," he added.

In addition to the Fort Monmouth Resource Center, Socolow emphasized the money would support planning of a technology center to be located in the Fort Monmouth region. He said it would employ those who did not accept the Army's offer to relocate.

"We want the Army to realize that these people are indispensable, that they need to be retained even though the mission is moving. The Army will essentially be able to have its cake and eat it too, and these people would have a base of employment," Socolow mused.

He added, "Keeping a core of talented workers employed in N.J. will help our state sustain high-tech, high-wage jobs and attract more high-tech business to the state."