One Stop Partners

The Bergen One-Stop Career Center (BOSCC) is a consortium of workforce providers, located at 60 State Street in Hackensack. The largest include staff funded by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and local New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development (LWD) divisions. Bergen County Technical Schools (BCTS) has served as administrative & fiscal entity for WIA and a number of job training grants for the County of Bergen since 1995.

When WIA was enacted in 1998, its main goal was to house a number of workforce providers under one central location, and to have businesses take a vested interest in the local delivery of workforce initiatives. This federal legislation created Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) to oversee policy on workforce development, and One-Stop Career Centers to implement initiatives for potential workers and employers in one convenient location. BCTS worked closely with LWD to open the new comprehensive Center in Spring 2006.

In addition to the specific activities under the purview of the grant, WIA serves as the lead agency of the One-Stop and oversees the interaction of the independent providers and agencies within the consortium.

BCTS administers two types of WIA monies through the One Stop: Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) and Contracted Services for at-risk youth awarded to local providers through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. As such, all contracts - ITAs and Contracted Services - are approved by the BCTS Board of Education in form of monthly resolutions.

For more information about the Workforce Investment Act, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor's website.

The Employment Services Division (ES) of the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development helps clients find suitable position through one-on-one counseling, resume preparation, and job search.

Clients meet with Interviewers and counselors to learn about career prospects and training opportunities, develop resumes, refine interview skills, or specialized programs such as PROS/JSAPP. In the Public Access area, individuals can work on their own to prepare cover letters and resumes; use the telephones, copier and fax machines, or search for a job through online job banks. For more information about employment opportunities throughout the region, please visit the State's website, WFNJPIN.

The New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVRS) provides services that enable individuals with disabilities to find jobs. The division also offers assistance to people with disabilities who are having problems keeping their jobs. DVRS is staffed by experienced rehabilitation counselors who provide valuable services to people who, as a result of physical, learning, mental, or emotional difficulties, need assistance obtaining or maintaining employment. For more information, please call 201-986-8970 or please visit the State's DVRS site.

The local office for Unemployment Insurance Services is also housed at the One-Stop. It provides walk-in service to customers filing and re-opening unemployment benefit claims by phone or internet, or those who need assistance. Phone lines are available so that individuals can speak with customer service representatives at the State’s Reemployment Call Center. When a company experiences a layoff or plant closing, the One-Stop participates in the NJDOL’s Response Team, to ease the separation, and assist displaced workers re-enter the workforce. Detailed information on UI can be found on the State's website. For new claims call: 201-601-4100 or (English) - 201-601-4112 (Spanish), or apply online at http://www.nj.gov/labor/ui/apponline.html.

Veterans Representatives are available at the One Stop to help vets learn about available jobs, training opportunities, and to assist them access the network of benefits available to them. The Jobs for Veterans Act affords priority of service to covered veterans and eligible spouses over non-covered persons for the receipt of employment, training and placement services provided under new or existing job training programs funded in whole, or in part, by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Click here for a detailed information. The Veterans Unit is located in Room 202. For more information, please call John Bautz, 201-329-9600 x5643. To learn more state-wide, please visit Services for Veterans of the US Armed Forces.

Special programs are available to assist older, economically disadvantaged workers. For more information contact Elaine Lee at 201-329-9600 x 5715.

The WIB provides oversight to the state's largest county workforce development system by enabling residents and business to utilize programs through the Bergen One-Stop Career Center, the Business Resource Center, and the Youth Investment Council, as well as training, education and literacy programs. In cooperation with the County Executive and Freeholders, the WIB is charged with creating effective policy, planning strategic workforce initiatives,and building workforce collaborations that enhance workforce skills and productivity within Bergen. Visit the WIB website for more information.

Since April 2009, the One-Stop has been working diligently to provide services funded by ARRA to dislocated workers and at-risk youth. To date, nearly 500 unemployed workers have received $4,000 grants to be retrained in a demand occupations.In the summer of 2009, the One-Stop sponsored a program called "YouthWorks!" which placed over 300 youth into public entity work sites around the county.

The State's welfare program is known as WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ). To receive assistance, clients have to work, actively look for work, or participate in an approved work activity. The first activity of this job training is a mandatory 30-day in-service program at the One-Stop where clients prepare their resumes and learn workplace readiness skills. BCTS administers this training program.

After initial training, clients are then placed in the next mandatory job activity, which includes occupational training, community work experience training, or basic skills instruction. Those in need of intensive job readiness services are placed in contracted programs with local providers. Through an RFP process, BCTS sponsors intensive programs with a number of community based providers.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs sponsors a grant program through BCTS to support Displaced Homemakers. Free services are available at the One Stop to women who are divorced, separated, widowed, or married but unsupported, and single parents who wish to enter the workforce. Please visit the Displaced Homemaker Program website for more details.

In addition to the aforementioned organizations, the One-Stop partners with a number of local county agencies and community service organizations to round out services.