The Jersey City Employment Training Program has named a new executive director, Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced Thursday.
The JCETP’s board of directors unanimously voted Katrice Thomas to fill the role.
“I am thrilled to start as the executive director of JCETP as I have devoted my career advocating for families and communities affected by the challenges and struggles associated with a lack of access to workforce, economic development and sustainability resources,” Thomas said. “I am looking forward to continuing what I’m most passionate about, and will focus on enhancing JCETP’s efforts to help those in Jersey City connect to the services they need to build a better life.”
Thomas will be tasked with overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan at the nonprofit agency which aims to prepare Jersey City’s most vulnerable residents who are entering the workforce. She will work closely with the city, the JCETP board of directors, Hudson County Workforce Development Board and the Department of Labor.
“After years of mismanagement here, I feel confident that Katrice will be able to restore Jersey City Employment and Training to the best single stop job source in New Jersey,” Fulop said. “JCETP provides a ladder of opportunity for some of our most vulnerable residents who need guidance as they build experience in their career. I’m confident Katrice is the best person to further our efforts in repairing and growing JCETP to best help our families in need.”
Prior to JCETP, Thomas served as the workforce development regional director at ResCare – Workforce Services. Before that, she was with City University of New York aiding youth through the Administration for Children’s Services Workforce Institute.
“Katrice’s workforce development experience across populations is exactly what Jersey City needs at this time, and we are confident in her ability to lead the program,” Stacey Flanagan, director of health and human services, and JCETP acting chairperson, said. “Her background includes nearly twenty years of managing various programs and government grants, coupled with her experience at the intersection of government and nonprofit work.”
Last month, Fulop appointed four new members to the JCETP board of directors, they include: Pamela Gardner, Kristen Hart, Tonya Keyes and Michelle West, who will serve through 2022.
