Northern New Jersey has seen an enormous investment of resources and energy into the revitalization of urban areas like the Hudson River waterfront and the Meadowlands region. Part of this renaissance includes a booming regional hotel industry that has emerged to support this development and to capture a growing portion of the New York City tourism market. In Jersey City alone, four quality hotels have opened within the last three years, with three more in the pipeline for completion within the next year or two. Even despite the events of September 11th and the current economic climate, the industry remains a critical part of the regional economy.
Community Partnerships in Hotel Employment (CPHE) is called a sectoral employment initiative, an industry-targeted strategy that attempts to understand and intervene directly in local labor markets in order to connect low-income individuals to better jobs and to achieve systemic, long-term change that will benefits both program participants and other low-income workers in the occupation or industry. CPHE attempts to create a win-win situation by increasing low-income residents' access to good jobs, supplying the hotel industry with qualified employees, and contributing to the overall economic growth of the region by helping its targeted industry become more competitive.
The program, conducted in cooperation with Hudson County Community College (HCCC), focuses on job placement into entry-level hotel positions that offer decent wages and opportunities for advancement; providing the necessary supports and services for participants to stay employed, and helping participants acquire the skills and education they need to advance into better-paying jobs in the industry. Through relationship-building with employers, including their participation on an Advisory Committee, the project also seeks to problem-solve and develop new policies or strategies with employers that benefit both the industry and its workers.
The program consists of a 15-week training course, case management, job placement, pre and post-employment job coaching, and access to further educational opportunities in the field at HCCC. The 15-week training course focuses on both hard and soft skills, including: basics of customer service, budgeting basics, time management, conflict resolution, working in teams, job readiness, communication skills, and industry-specific training and job responsibilities and skills for front desk and housekeeping positions. The training, which also includes an internship component, is conducted jointly by WomenRising, Inc. and HCCC. As part of the training, participants also take three certification tests developed by the American Hotel and Lodging Association based in Washington D.C.
Who's eligible?
Sociable individuals who like to work with people
Individuals age 18 or older, with preference given to female residents of Hudson
County
Flexible and willing to work a variety of shifts
H.S. diploma, GED or currently enrolled in GED program
Meet the income guidelines for a low or moderate income household
Cost?
The program is free. A small deposit is required upon entry into the program that is refundable upon graduation.
How do I enroll?
Contact Ilene Singh at (201)333-5700 ext. 532.