Murphy announces A.C. job training program

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday the creation of a full-time job training program focused on the culinary and hospitality industry.

The program, which will receive startup funding from the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will provide training, education and support services for jobs in those sectors, the Governor’s Office said in a news release.

The program, in partnership with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the UNITE HERE Local 54 union, will be based at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

“A stronger and fairer economy cannot be established without good and permanent jobs for the people of New Jersey,” the governor said in a prepared statement. “The establishment of this program ensure that, when Atlantic City rises, so do its residents.”

The program will be focused on training local residents who are underemployed or living in poverty with the tools and support needed to earn permanent union jobs. Residents could be trained for as many as 5,000 entry-level positions, the release said.

It was developed by the union in consultation with business owners and executives. Community partners include Atlantic County Recovery Court, Covenant House, WorkFirst NJ, the Atlantic County One-Stop Career Center and community corrections partners.