EDA/Labor Department Agreement
Maximizes Job Opportunities for Women/Minorities Under School Building
Program
CAMDEN, NJ (August 22, 2001) – In an effort to maximize the
employment opportunities for women and minority workers, the New Jersey
Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey Department of Labor
have coordinated their efforts to provide for the funding and administration
of construction trades outreach and job training in conjunction with
the state's school construction program.
At a ceremony today in Camden, EDA Executive Director Caren S. Franzini
and the Commissioner of Labor signed a Memorandum of Agreement which
provides for certain training of women and minorities in construction
trades in connection with school facilities projects funded and contracted
for by the EDA.
"By partnering with the Department of Labor, the EDA can better help
women and minorities take advantage of the employment opportunities
that are emerging from the historic school construction program which
is underway in New Jersey," said Franzini.
"New Jersey's commitment to rebuilding our educational infrastructure
also provides the Labor Department a unique opportunity to help local
residents, women and minorities to gain new skills in the construction
trades," said the Labor Commissioner. "Our economy, like our schools
and our workforce, will grow stronger through this investment."
Under the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, the
EDA is mandated to construct school facilities projects in the state's
30 "special needs" school districts, or Abbott districts, and school
districts that receive 55% or more in state funding for education.
The school construction law also requires the EDA to establish an affirmative
action program for the hiring of minority and women workers employed
on school facilities projects funded and contracted for by the EDA.
Under the agreement signed today, the EDA will fund the training programs
provided by Labor by providing up to one-half of one percent of the
cost of the school facilities construction contracts awarded by the
EDA for this purpose.
"Reaching the public and increasing awareness about the job opportunities
that are available through the school construction program isa goal
of mutual concern to local officials, the EDA, and the Department of
Labor," said Franzini. "Through our cooperative efforts, we can reach
out to an untapped workforce, and train them to help rebuild our communities
by taking part in the construction of world class educational facilities
for our children."
The agreement was signed during a ceremonial ground breaking event
in Camden, which served to launch the Camden Board of Education's "public
engagement campaign" for the district's Five Year Facility Plan.
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