Holiday Recycling Dates Unchanged, Workforce Surveys Due

Assuming the weather cooperates, there will be no changes in the municipal recycling schedule over the upcoming holidays, according to county officials.

Since Christmas and New Year’s Day occur on a Sunday, there is no need to adjust the schedule.

“It’s not often we put out a message that says ‘business as usual,’” said Freeholder Joseph Donnelly. “But it’s a message we know many residents will appreciate.”

The county recycling office offered another bit of advice: In the event of windy days, snow or ice storms, consider holding on to recyclables until the next collection day, or take them to your municipal recycling dropoffs.

For more information, call the recycling hotline at 609-267-6889 or 856-461-4141, or email recycling@otcbc.org.

Workforce needs surveys due

Hoping to zero in on the workforce skills currently in demand by Burlington County businesses, a collaboration of county agencies are urging employers to respond to an on-line Workforce Needs Survey.

The survey is a joint initiative of the Burlington County Workforce Investment Board (WIB), Burlington County College, the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce, and the Burlington County Bridge Commission’s Department of Economic Development and Regional Planning.

Freeholder Joseph Donnelly said employers can access the survey online or call 609-265-5603 for more information. Close to 4,000 businesses have received a postcard notification of the survey. The deadline to respond is Jan. 15.

“The survey is part and parcel to county efforts to help businesses find the workers they need, and to make sure we are providing worker training that answers those needs,” said Donnelly. “The good news is that we have seen some improvement in the county’s employment picture in recent months. Still and all, we want to do everything we can to grow business and create more job opportunities.” 

Donnelly noted the county’s unemployment rate has been edging down in recent months, and came in at 8.4 percent for October, the last reported month. This contrasts with one year ago when it stood at 9 percent.

The survey is aimed at identifying the knowledge, skills, and abilities that businesses need its workforce to possess and any difficulties they may have in hiring employees. It is a more comprehensive survey from one issued at the beginning of the year.

From the results, the county hopes to develop strategies and programs that can improve the workforce skills matching businesses’ staffing needs. The bottom line is to improve ways to match the needs of businesses with the workforce.

Companies and individuals who respond to the survey are not required to identify themselves, although they are encouraged to do so. 

They are also invited to attend a breakfast on Friday, March 3, at Burlington County College’s Mount Laurel campus, when the survey results will be released. For details and to register call 609-265-5603.

“This is an opportunity for employers to engage in a dialogue with us, and share their ideas on employment and training,” Donnelly said. “One of the primary missions of the WIB is to ensure that outside grant dollars allocated for training are answering to the current workforce demands. Employers can certainly help us advance that agenda.”