Mayor Ras J. Baraka recently hosted a two-day visit from officials of the National League of Cities (NLC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to showcase Newark’s innovative workforce development initiatives. The visit began with a tour of Hope Village II, the city’s newest bridge housing community, where officials observed an IT sustainability project that trains young people for careers in green technology. The second day featured an Infrastructure Summit and Career Expo, focusing on 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 give our youth skills for a successful career, and instill an appreciation of the satisfaction and value gained from strengthening our city and supporting fellow residents.”
On Wednesday, May 29, Mayor Baraka joined NLC and USDOL officials at Hope Village II to witness an innovative IT sustainability project. This program, run by Newark-based Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) Avatarius and RampUp America, teaches Newark youth how to reconstruct and refurbish computers. The City of Newark donated the computers, and with support from the Newark Workforce Development Board, students received training stipends, wrap-around services, and computer parts. This initiative extended the life cycle of previously non-functioning computer equipment, keeping it out of landfills. The reconditioned computers were provided for use by Hope Village II residents, with additional units donated to other community members lacking access to 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, Newark demonstrates how development can be an opportunity for economic mobility for all residents. We look forward to seeing the impact of Newark’s workforce development initiatives for years to come.”
At Hope Village II, speakers highlighted the importance of engaging opportunity youth in the green tech program and 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 significance of engaging disconnected youth, as detailed in the recent report, Measure of America: A Portrait of Newark. Craig Manor, Executive Director of United Community Corporation, spoke about the contributions of YouthBuild participants in the construction of Hope Village II.
The second day featured the Infrastructure Summit and Career Expo at the Newark Youth One-Stop Shop, aimed at educating contractors and subcontractors, especially Minority and Women Enterprises (MWBEs), about upcoming projects. The Career Expo enabled job seekers to engage with contractors and subcontractors hiring apprentices and workers for various projects in and around Newark. The event, free and open to residents, offered opportunities in apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and careers in 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 available in our area,” said Mayor Baraka. “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 hosted information sessions. Participants interested in entrepreneurship received guidance from industry experts, while those exploring 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 peer-learning cohort led by the NLC and USDOL. This initiative aims to fast-track city efforts to design, develop, and launch workforce initiatives that build pathways into good jobs, upskilling and reskilling workers into high-demand roles in infrastructure, clean energy, and broadband.
