The Jersey City Employment Training Program (JCETP) Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Katrice Thomas as the new executive director of the JCEETP, approving an annual salary of $120,000.
The nonprofit has seen a lot of turnover over the last several months. Two executive directors have left the agency: James McGreevy who was terminated in January, and Sudhan Thomas who submitted his two-week notice in July. And four board members have resigned.
According to a press release from the city, Katrice Thomas, who is not related to Sudhan Thomas, will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the JCETP, a nonprofit agency that provides tools and guidance to prepare Jersey City residents to enter the workforce.
The organization works with the community through personal outreach services, workshops, and a variety of career and professional development services.
These efforts help support youth in and out of school, former prisoners, and dislocated workers, by connecting them with a variety of specialized programs, including on-the-job training and in-house programs to build confidence, competence, and knowledge for job seekers.
‘Ladder of opportunity’
“After years of mismanagement here, I feel confident that Katrice will be able to restore Jersey City Employment and Training to the best single-stop job source in New Jersey,” said Mayor Steven Fulop. “JCETP provides a ladder of opportunity for some of our most vulnerable residents who need guidance as they build experience in their career. I’m confidant Katrice is the best person to further our efforts in repairing and growing JCETP to best help our families in need.”
The executive director is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the JCETP. She will work with the city, Hudson County Workforce Development Board, and Department of Labor and report to the agency’s Board of Directors.
“Katrice’s workforce development experience across populations is exactly what Jersey City needs at this time, and we are confident in her ability to lead the program,” said Director of Health and Human Services and JCETP Acting Chairperson Stacey Flanagan. “Her background includes nearly 20 years of managing various programs and government grants, coupled with her experience at the intersection of government and nonprofit work.”
Katrice Thomas previously worked as the Workforce Development Regional Director for ResCare – Workforce Services, where she helped communities in the tri-state area with job placement and training.
She previously worked with the City University of New York in the Administration for Children’s Services Workforce Institute.
She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Long Island University.
“I am thrilled to start as the Executive Director of JCETP as I have devoted my career advocating for families and communities affected by the challenges and struggles associated with a lack of access to workforce, economic development, and sustainability resources,” said Katrice Thomas. “I am looking forward to continuing what I’m most passionate about, and will focus on enhancing JCETP’s efforts to help those in Jersey City connect to the services they need to build a better life.”
New board
Last month, Fulop appointed four new members to the JCETP Board of Directors.
The new members include Pamela Gardner, Kristen Hart, Tonya Keyes, and Michelle West.
Gardner is a Life Member of the NAACP and has previously served as the Hudson County Register of Deeds and Mortgages. She has also served on several local boards and committees in various capacities, including as President of College Women, Inc.
Hart works for the Jersey City Public School system as the Supervisor of Athletics for McNair Academic High School. She also serves on boards for the Jersey City Education Association and Jersey City Liberty All-Stars.
Keyes is owner of Keyes & Wiggins Red Realty, where she has earned nationally recognized designations. She also serves as vice president of the Board of Trustees of the Golden Door Charter School in Jersey City and chairs the Advisory Board of Salvation Army’s Foster Grandparent Program for Hudson and Essex Counties.
West is a youth counselor and ministry adviser with a Master’s degree in Urban Education. She is currently principal of Public School 15.
Their terms will expire in 2022.
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