Virtual Programs Offer Career-Related Services in Hunterdon, Somerset Counties

An online-learning platform, a job fair, and a presentation on finding meaningful work in challenging times are among the subjects of upcoming career-related virtual programs offered by partners of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, serving residents and employers in Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

Greater Raritan One-Stop offices in Somerville and Flemington were closed to the public in mid-March due to the coronavirus. While staff is working on site, currently in-person service is not available to ensure the health and safety of staff and customers. All services have been converted to virtual- and phone-delivery platforms, and new programs continue to be added within the system.

Ongoing virtual services include career planning, assessment of training needs, career services for individuals with disabilities, online career-development workshops, and a weekly online orientation about training programs. Upcoming new and free virtual programs include:

SkillUp Greater Raritan: This online learning platform provides residents of Hunterdon and Somerset counties free, unlimited access to 5,000-plus courses, including general topics and some IT and business certification tracks. Introductory webinars will be presented at 1 p.m. every Thursday in September.

One-Stop Services for Job Services during COVID-19: This presentation will be given by Jan Goodman, community outreach specialist for Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center Training Services at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.

Virtual Career Fair: Several local employers are scheduled to present information during this virtual event, to occur at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23 and hosted by the Somerset County Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center. Career webinars related to the event are planned for Sept. 9 and 16.

Relaunch! A New Perspective on Finding Meaningful Work in Challenging Times: Author and counselor Steven Simon, president and CEO of Human Services Outcomes Inc., will offer advice on thinking about new career directions. The virtual workshop will be conducted from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Bridges to Success: This virtual webinar series for job seekers focuses on teaching a variety of skills to cope with stress. Presented in collaboration with EmPoWER Somerset, the eight-week series will be occur every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. beginning Oct. 1.

All programs are free. For information on these and other upcoming programs being planned throughout the fall by the GRWDB and its partners, go to www.thegrwdb.org; click on the events/calendar tab.

Community members also will find up-to-date labor information about job trends and skill needs on the Resource /Labor Market Information tab of the site. This includes the Greater Raritan Unemployment Tracker, which presents updated weekly data on new processed unemployment claims since the middle of March. The tracker shows that nearly 60,000 unemployment claims have been filed since March 21 in Hunterdon and Somerset counties, and breaks down the filings by industry and occupation.

The GRWDB and its partners are offering a Job Match service for job seekers. For details, visit https://www.thegrwdb.org/resources/for-jobseekers/. This page also has links to a new searchable career dashboard, and to jobs.covid19.nj.gov , New Jersey’s COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal.

In addition, partners of the GRWDB offer a variety services to employers, including recruitment assistance, job matching and job fairs, an apprenticeship program, on-the-job training, layoff aversion and incumbent worker training. Visit nj.gov/labor/business.

Community members should note that the in-person unemployment services and lobby phones that were offered at 75 Veterans Memorial Drive in Somerville will not be available for the foreseeable future. Comprehensive support for unemployment customers remain available online and through regional call centers. All unemployment claimants are asked to file new claims – or update existing claims – online at https://myunemployment.nj.gov. Claimants can call unemployment services at 732-761-2020.

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.

Questions? Contact GRWDB Board Director Paul Grzella at grzella@co.somerset.nj.us, or 908-203-6044.