The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development recently introduced the New Start Career Network, an initiative to assist New Jersey’s long-term unemployed to reenter the workforce. Led by the Heldrich Center in collaboration with private-sector employers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and a network of volunteer career coaches, the New Start Career Network will make available, free of charge, job search, résumé, and interviewing tools; job coaching; and training opportunities with employers. The New Start Career Network is made possible by major funding from the Philip and Tammy Murphy Family Foundation. New Jerseyans age 45 and older who have been unemployed longer than six months are eligible to join the network at www.newstartcareernetwork.org.
Carl Van Horn, Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University and Director of the Heldrich Center, observed:
“More than 4 in 10 unemployed New Jerseyans, approximately 125,000 people, have been unemployed for over six months — one of the highest shares of long-term unemployment in the United States. Despite their best efforts, most of these individuals have not succeeded in getting a job for more than a year. Often these job seekers are over the age of 45 and are coping with significant financial and emotional problems. The New Start Career Network brings together a powerful coalition of employers, nonprofit organizations, and volunteers to help address this crisis.”
For additional information about the initiative, please see the full press release.