Mayor Baraka Joins National League of Cities and U.S. Department of Labor Officials to Highlight Innovative Workforce Development Initiatives

The first day included a stop at the city’s newest bridge housing community, Hope Village II, to visit an IT sustainability project that trained young people interested in pursuing green tech careers. The second day included a stop at an Infrastructure Summit and Career Expo in Newark to learn about major construction, green infrastructure and broadband projects in the area.

“In Newark, we focus on investing in our future by creating innovative workforce solutions and developing pathways to sustainable jobs for our young people,” said Mayor Baraka. “It is inspiring to see the collaboration between our young people and community leaders involved with initiatives like Hope Village II. This training and mentoring gives our youth skills for a successful career, and instills an appreciation of the satisfaction and value gained from strengthening our city and supporting fellow residents.”

Wednesday, May 29, Mayor Baraka joined NLC and USDOL officials at Hope Village II to see an innovative, new IT sustainability project that resulted in providing restored computers for sheltered residents. Through a training program run by Newark-based Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) Avatarius and RampUp America, Newark youth interested in pursuing green tech careers were taught about IT sustainability and how to reconstruct and refurbish computers. The computers were donated by the City of Newark. With assistance from the Newark Workforce Development Board, which provided training stipends, wrap-around services and computer parts, the students successfully extended the life cycle of previously non-functioning computer equipment, keeping it out of landfills. In addition to the computers provided for use by the Hope Village II community, other reconditioned computers will be donated to residents who do not presently have access to such technology.

“By participating in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, Newark is doing an incredible job training their young residents for the jobs of their future – from infrastructure, to energy and broadband,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “By including innovative workforce programs and partners in infrastructure projects and policies, the City of Newark is demonstrating how development can be an opportunity for economic mobility for all residents. We look forward to seeing the impact Newark’s workforce development initiatives will have on our workforce for years to come.”

Speakers at Hope Village II highlighted how engaging opportunity youth is a key objective of the green tech program, along with other career pathways that do not necessarily require a college degree. Robert Clark, Founder and Executive Director of the Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN) discussed the importance of engaging disconnected youth, which was recently highlighted in a new report, Measure of America: A Portrait of Newark. Craig Manor, Executive Director of United Community Corporation, talked about the work done by YouthBuild participants who assisted in the construction of Hope Village II.

The City today hosted the NLC and USDOL delegation at an Infrastructure Summit and Career Expo at the Newark Youth One-Stop Shop. The goal of the event was to educate Newark and area contractors and subcontractors, especially Minority and Women Enterprises (MWBEs) in construction, green infrastructure and broadband projects like Gateway coming to our region. The Career Expo enabled career seekers to engage with contractors and subcontractors who are hiring apprentices and workers for a variety of projects in and around Newark. The event was free and open to residents who are interested in apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and careers in the building trades, green infrastructure, green energy and fiber optics.

“The Infrastructure Summit and Career Expo gave job seekers a chance to learn about the good-paying, high-quality jobs that are available in our area,” added Mayor Baraka. “There are so many talented people living in our city, and this is an exciting time to live in Newark. By providing Newarkers with meaningful training, support services and career opportunities, we are going to help even more Newark families thrive.”

Representatives from trade unions, the Women’s Bureau, Office of Wage and Hourly Compliance, Office of Federal Contract Compliance (OFCCP), industry training partners and women in the trades were on site hosting information sessions. Participants interested in entrepreneurship also received guidance from industry experts about business startups, and those who wished to explore career pathways in new technologies learned about innovations in virtual reality (VR) and drones for the construction sector.

Newark is one of 16 cities in the country participating in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, a new peer-learning cohort led by the NLC and the USDOL to fast-track city efforts to design, develop, and launch a workforce initiative building pathways into good jobs. The academy works with municipalities to spur innovative and scalable city-supported solutions that upskill and reskill workers into quality, high-demand jobs in infrastructure, clean energy, and broadband.