Galloway, N.J. _ The Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Talent Network at Stockton University and Stockton’s Office of Continuing Studies will coordinate a new initiative to train young adults for careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The program was announced at a launch party Sept. 12 at Little Water Distillery, in Atlantic City.the Atlantic County Opportunity Youth Collaborative. The $300,000 grant-funded program is open to youth ages 18 to 24 who are not currently attending school and meet financial requirements. Applicants without a high school diploma are encouraged to apply, as this program will help individuals earn their high school equivalency through completion of training.

The grant was developed to provide job skills and career opportunities to young people and meet the growing demand by employers in Atlantic County for employees to fill entry level positions.

“The Opportunity Youth Collaborative has strong interest from local casinos and restauranteurs, who have pledged to support the program by providing job shadowing and internship opportunities, and have committed to interviewing and hiring qualified program graduates,” said Stacy Forman, Director of the Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Talent Network at Stockton.

Forman said committed partners have shared over 300 available jobs for young people with skills provided by this program

“Local businesses will benefit, as they will have access to a homegrown workforce of motivated and well-trained employees who will become major contributors to their company’s success and community’s growing sustainability,” Forman said.

Other partners in the project are the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism Studies at Stockton, JEVS Human Services, and Atlantic City Police Athletic League (AC PAL).

The nine-week program will be open to two cohorts of 25 eligible youth, with the first group launching in September and the second in January. There will be two tracks for those with a high school diploma and some job experience, and those without a high school diploma who will also get academic instruction. Orientation and trainings will all be held in at Atlantic City Police Athletic League and the new Stockton Atlantic City Academic Center.

Participants are now being sought for the first cohort. For more information call or text  Latoyra Smith at 856-425-6980, email OYC@jevs.org or apply online at http://www.jevshumanservices.org/oyc-form/

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Contact:
Diane D’Amico
Director of News and Media Relations
Galloway, N.J. 08205
Diane.D’Amico@stockton.edu
609-652-4593
stockton.edu/media