A new program gives those on probation training in life skills and career development.
The Certified Associate Project Management Cohort runs 10 weeks with the 25 participants trained to hire.
The New Jersey Judiciary Opportunities to Build Success program, or NJ JOBS, has brought together Atlantic Cape Community College, Atlantic and Cape May County Probation Division and APEX Solutions Group to offer free training, which includes a $100 weekly stipend to participants as they successfully advance through the course.
“This is an excellent opportunity to assist clients in transforming their lives with a sense of purpose and equip you with the skills needed to support yourselves, your families and your local community,” Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba said. “We are proud to aid our local Judiciary branches with the support they need in carrying out the jobs initiative in Atlantic and Cape May counties, and we are very committed to working in the community.”
Atlantic Cape is one of 19 colleges and universities throughout the state that were made an Anchor Institution in May 2017.
Those schools pledged to “leverage the resources of higher education institutions to revitalize, strengthen, empower and improve their respective communities.”
“Atlantic Cape was designated an Anchor Institution for supporting our communities and we are proud that APEX provides second chance opportunities to the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties,” Gaba said. “We are so pleased to have this 10-week course right here on our Atlantic City campus.”
The cohort guns through May 26 and will cover topics from communications, teamwork and resume writing to computer literacy, leadership and project management.
“APEX is here to make you a better person. Solve your problems with your words and life will be fantastic,” said Dr. Jemal Beale, a retired brigadier general and APEX's founder and president. “This is a really good opportunity and this is my responsibility to give back and it makes me very happy to do so.”
The NJ JOBS program helps connect private companies and nonprofit organizations with successful drug court and probation clients who have shown the desire to rebuild their lives, work and make a difference in their communities.
“This program is real as long as you are willing to put in the effort, study hard and hold yourself to those principles," said Cameron, a recent graduate of the Monmouth County Cohort. "It’s not just the work you do in the classroom, but it’s also what you do once you come out of the classroom. For me, it comes full circle to come here and bring testimony to you about this program. That’s how we do things, we share with others what we have learned.”
