The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Passaic County is dedicated to supporting workforce and economic development to connect Passaic County New Jersey residents to jobs and ensure that employers have the skilled workers they need to grow, compete, and prosper. Created pursuant to the Workforce Innovative and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), the WDB's role is to ensure that optimal investments are made in Passaic County to support workforce development, training, and job preparation for residents. The WDB also engages businesses to link services of the local workforce system with employer’s needs within the county.
The primary responsibilities of the WDB are to:
- Promote private sector employer participation in all workforce activities to assist and meet businesses hiring needs, and to connect workforce investment with local and regional development strategies.
- Develop a budget to extend WDB duties.
- Certify One-Stop operators with the agreement of the chief elected officials.
- Identify providers of training and labor market services.
- Award contracts to certified service providers.
- Identify and award competitive contracts to providers of youth services.
- Establish local performance measures and standards.
- Conduct oversight of all workforce activities.
- Develop a five-year plan to address the local workforce development needs.
The U.S. Congress has mandated that employers drive the Board's policy direction. Therefore, majority of the Board (51%) must come from the private sector. The entire Board is composed of leaders from the fields of business, education, labor, community and faith-based organizations, and government. A minimum of 15% are from organized labor and community-based organizations. The Board must consist of a minimum of 37 members with 2 executive members (the County Executive and the Board of Commissioners’ Chairman). Every Workforce Development Board is expected to reflect the gender, race, and ethnic composition of the community it serves.
Resumes of prospective Board members are submitted to the County Executive for nomination and then to the Passaic County Board of Commissioners for a resolution and appointment to a three-year term, in accordance with the terms of the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Enacted in 2014 by the 113th Congress of the United States under the Obama administration, the PUBL128.PS (congress.gov) (WIOA) aims to consolidate; coordinate; and improve employment training, literacy, and vocational rehabilitation programs in the United States. This Federal legislation created Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Territories to oversee policy on workforce development and coordinate services through a network of 3,000 One-Stop Career Centers to implement initiatives for potential workers and employers in a convenient location.
The goal of WIOA is to provide workforce development services to employers and workers through a universal accessible, information-driven One-Stop Career Center System. WIOA legislates how to create the job training system and WDBs design the system according to the local needs. Job training is provided to currently employed workers, dislocated workers, and those entering or returning to the workforce. Special programs for youths, literacy, and disabilities are also available.
Led by over 550 Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) nationwide, the publicly funded workforce system is providing millions of unemployed workers with the tools to reenter the workforce. Read more about how WDBs work and the role of elected officials under WIOA.
State and federal dollars fund the Workforce Development Board. The WDB address issues of funding, including the creation of private/public partnerships to apply for competitive grants.
WIOA requires a "One-Stop" delivery system where state and local agency partners are tasked with delivering a universally accessible, integrated system of labor market information and education/training programs – free of charge. Once the WDB, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, determines a business need, personnel at the One-Stop Career Centers assist with recruiting and training employees. One-Stop Career Centers are accountable for the results of their work.
The Passaic County One Stop is located at 200 Memorial Dr. Paterson, NJ.
Services for Employers
- Employee Search Assistance
- Hiring Programs
- Skills Training Programs
- Employer-Benefit Programs
- Labor Market Information
- Funding for Training
Services for Job Seekers:
- Job Search Assistance
- Free Office Resources
- Resource Library
- Support Services
- Career Assistance
- Training
Information on workforce training, grants, and related services can be found under the Employer section of this Website.
Information about career education, workforce training, and grants can be found under the Job Seeker section of this Website.
Information on resources to assist you in your career goals can be found under Youth Services section on this Website.
Information on resources to assist you with your career goals can be found under Disability Services on this Website.
All minutes of Board meetings are made accessible shortly after each meeting and archived on the WDB's Website. County Commissioner Meeting Agendas and Minutes (passaiccountynj.org)
In addition to connecting individuals with available jobseekers, businesses, youths, and disability services the WDB wants to hear from highly qualified business leaders interested in future service. Please contact us to express your interest.
The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Passaic County serves the geographic boundaries of Passaic County, New Jersey. The Passaic County WDB serves as one of the 17 local boards throughout the State of New Jersey.
Additional information on WIOA and Workforce Development Boards can be found at the United States Department of Labor website PUBL128.PS (congress.gov).
