Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop and Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise announced a new IT training program for both inmates and recently incarcerated individuals, as well as the at-risk population. The program is a partnership with the global technology company Cisco.
The training program, a first-of-its-kind partnership for Cisco in New Jersey, is known as the “Cisco IT Essential Training Course” and was developed in partnership with the Hudson County Department of Corrections, the Hudson County Workforce Investment Board, the Jersey City Employment and Training Program and Hudson County Community College.
Program participants will receive training in information technology, an occupation that is in high demand, increasing their ability to find quality and lasting jobs. Cisco, an American multinational technology company, designs, manufactures and sells networking equipment throughout the world.
“By working with our partners at Hudson County corrections, as well as in the corporate community, we are able to model a program that provides real, hands-on training and job skills that our prisoner re-entry clients need to succeed in today’s workforce,” said Fulop. “We know how valuable these skills are, and this training will create a pathway to future employment and success for those seeking a second chance.”
With funding through the Second Chance Act, the Hudson County Department of Corrections will establish a computer lab at the Hudson County Correctional Center and will develop a computer-based curriculum in which instructors will teach students to break down and re-assemble computer hardware.
The program is scheduled to begin July 13 and will be administered at the jail, with expanded training facilities at the administrative building adjacent to the jail. A total of 60 participants will be able to receive the three-month training, which includes basic computer operation, IT essentials, an entrepreneurship course, resume writing, career counseling and job placement assistance.