The City of Newark, Newark Alliance’s workforce development program Newark 2020, and Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC) have partnered to launch the “Virtual Career Coaching Series,” a webinar based job training curriculum designed to provide career seekers with tools, tips, training, and best practices for working virtually and foster an advanced working knowledge of tech tools used for communication, collaboration, and working with virtual teams. The “Virtual Career Coaching Series” launches April 29, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and continues every Wednesday until June 17, 2020.

“We are living in unusual times and many Newark residents are facing unemployment because of the Coronavirus pandemic,” Mayor Baraka said. “We have to continue to create pioneering and groundbreaking initiatives to support our residents with all of their needs. These Virtual Career Coaching classes will enable them to learn how they can continue to strengthen their careers and workplace skills from home instead of in the classroom.”

The Newark 2020 Virtual Career Coaching Series is the latest effort from the Newark Alliance, which houses the HIRE BUY LIVE initiative, an effort launched by Mayor Baraka and the City’s corporations and anchor institutions to increase their local hiring and procurement as well as the number of their workforce who live locally.

“In 2019, we made great strides in reaching our goal to place over 2,020 residents in jobs by the year 2020. Now, during these uncertain times, it is critical that our residents remain work-ready, interview-savvy, and skills-focused”, said Aisha Glover, President & CEO of the Newark Alliance.

The series will be hosted by Newark 2020 Project Director Della M. Walker Jr., and features speakers from employer and HR specialist partners Rutgers University Newark, NJIT, PSEG, Per Scholas, Elite Aspirations, Gateway Chamber of Commerce, Landmark Hospitality, and Impact Consulting. The speakers are not only going to share their best strategies, systems, and practices to work in a virtual workplace, they will discuss real life scenarios and experiences with registered attendees. At the end of the series, registered participants will be connected to a Newark 2020 career coach, be designated as an “active job seeker” and their resumes will be presented to employer partners for virtual work-from-home opportunities and essential work that requires a working knowledge of cloud based communication and team collaboration tools.

“Newark 2020 understands the challenges many residents face due to COVID-19. Mayor Baraka is focused on ensuring Newark businesses and the local workforce rebounds and emerges stronger than ever,” said Mr. Walker. “Newark 2020 is steadfast in its mission to ensure that Newark residents remain competitive for employment and stay connected to available positions during these unprecedented times. Our work at Newark 2020 is uniquely focused on connecting Newark career seekers to jobs and training opportunities.”

Participants who attend at least 50% of the sessions will be awarded three one-on-one sessions with a Newark 2020 career and high performance coach.

The public forums will take place every Wednesday, from April 22, 2020 to June 17, 2020 at 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. as follows:

Schedule:

April 29: Understanding the new normal: The impact of the pandemic on the local workforce, power of community, and understanding unemployment benefits and the hiring landscape during the era of COVID-19.

May 6: Virtual Workplace Communication Tools

May 13: Virtual Workplace Team Collaboration Tools

May 20: Virtual Workplace Remote Delivery and Teamwork

May 27: Effective Virtual Workplace Job Search

June 3: Virtual Job Interviewing and How To Show Up

June 10: Resume Enhancement For The Virtual Workplace

June 17: Power Digital Profile Building and Virtual Networking

Job seekers can register for the “Virtual Career Coaching Series” at bit.ly/Newark2020VirtualCareerSeries, email newark2020@newark-alliance.com or call 862-277-4560.

About Newark 2020 Initiative (Newark Alliance)

The Newark 2020 local hiring initiative is a program of the Newark Alliance and was born out of the Hire. Buy. Live. Newark data driven job initiative created by Mayor Ras J. Baraka to combat poverty in Newark by connecting 2,020 unemployed Newark residents to meaningful, full-time work within the city’s corporations and anchor institutions. Newark 2020 partners with the city’s workforce development providers including Newark Works, La Casa de Don Pedro, Ironbound Community Corporation, and New Community Corporation and Urban League, to offer training and job placement support.

About Ironbound Community Corporation

Ironbound Community Corporation works with the people of Ironbound to identify needs and develop community-based solutions for them. ICC strives to empower people to better control and develop their own lives, families, and community.

Visit www.Newark2020.com for more information about the Newark 2020 initiative. Get hired in 2020. Connect with Newark 2020 at Facebook.com/HireNewarkNJ and follow @HireNewarkNJ on Twitter & Instagram.  

Stay connected to Ironbound Community Corporation at Facebook.com/IronboundCC & Twitter and on Instagram @ironboundcommunitycorp.

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