Job Fair In North Jersey For Court-Involved, People In Recovery, Veterans

NEW JERSEY — The following news release comes courtesy of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC), in partnership with Hudson County Community College, will host the Governor’s Reentry Training & Employment Center Job Fair on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 195 Campus Drive in Kearny, New Jersey.

Register for the event online here.

This event will unite employers, workforce partners, and NJRC program graduates and participants, namely court-involved individuals, those in recovery from addiction, and veterans. The job fair will provide participants with an opportunity to connect with hiring organizations, explore job openings, and take steps towards achieving sustainable employment.

The job fair follows the success of NJRC’s 2025 Summer Training Institute (STI), which is a cornerstone initiative of the Governor’s Reentry Training & Employment Center. The STI demonstrates the impact of workforce-driven reentry by providing participants with industry-recognized credentials, structured support, and clear career pathways. In 2025, 410 individuals enrolled in multiple training programs, and 402 participants completed the STI, resulting in a 98% program completion rate. Our STI graduates earned 1,347 industry-recognized credentials, underscoring the rigor of NJRC’s training model and the determination of our graduates.

The Summer Training Institute focused on preparing participants for employment in high-demand sectors that offer strong wages and long-term career growth opportunities. Training in the construction and skilled trades included forklift operation, OSHA 30, scaffolding, solar installation, welding, and fall prevention. Participants earned 565 certifications in general construction and 472 in forklift operation. The healthcare pathway provided certification for Phlebotomy Technicians and Peer Recovery Specialists. Participants of both the construction and healthcare pathways also completed digital literacy training through Microsoft Basics to prepare participants for success in technology-integrated workplaces.

NJRC’s success is based on our holistic, wraparound service model, anchored by the Francine A. LeFrak Wellness Center located within the Kearny facility. The Center offers comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health care, along with benefits navigation for Medicaid and SNAP, as well as referrals for housing support. These services address the social and economic barriers that may challenge reentry, empowering participants to focus on personal growth, career advancement, and long-term stability.

The outcomes achieved through the Summer Training Institute reflect NJRC’s statewide impact. Across its ten locations, including Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Passaic, and Union Counties, NJRC has served more than 25,000 individuals and helped secure nearly 12,000 job placements. With a 50 percent employment rate (adjusted seasonally) and a rearrest rate of just 19.7 percent, NJRC continues to demonstrate that employment and access to supportive services are potent drivers of public safety, community well-being, and personal transformation.

“The NJRC Reentry Training & Employment Center demonstrates how industry-recognized credentials open the door to lasting careers,” stated Jim McGreevey, Chairman of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation. “By linking court-involved persons to certified training programs that build discernible, marketable skills, we are creating a clear pipeline to employment. Through this model, participants not only secure jobs. Our participants reclaim dignity, stability, and the opportunity to build stronger families and communities.”

Through enduring partnerships and a commitment to uplifting the dignity of all persons, the New Jersey Reentry Corporation continues to improve reentry outcomes statewide. NJRC empowers participants to return to their community with purpose, confidence, and the skills necessary for stable careers.

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