Jersey City Employment and Training Program Welcomes New Executive Director

Latest Step to Strengthen Efforts in Restructuring the Agency

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announces the Jersey City Employment Training Program (JCETP) Board of Directors unanimously voted Katrice Thomas as the new Executive Director.  In her new role, Ms. Thomas will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programs, and strategic plan of JCETP- a nonprofit agency providing tools and guidance to prepare Jersey City’s most vulnerable residents entering the workforce.

“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 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 confident 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 JCETP. Katrice will work closely with the City of Jersey City, Hudson County Workforce Development Board, Department of Labor and report to the 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 Stacey Flanagan, Director of Health and Human Services and JCETP Acting Chairperson. “Her background includes nearly twenty years of managing various programs and government grants, coupled with her experience at the intersection of government and nonprofit work.”

Katrice previously worked as the Workforce Development Regional Director for ResCare – Workforce Services, where she helped communities in the tristate area with job placement, training, and more. Previously, she worked with the City University of New York to help youth through the Administration for Children’s Services Workforce Institute. She received a BA 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.”

JCETP works with the community through personal outreach services, workshops, and a variety of career and professional development services in order to provide tools and services to prepare residents as they enter the workforce. These efforts help support youth in and out of school, former prisoners, as well as 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 those looking for a job.

Just last month, Mayor Fulop appointment four new members to the JCETP Board of Directors. The new members include Pamela Gardner, Kristen Hart, Tonya Keyes and Michelle West, who will serve as board members through 2022.