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City officials have announced the creation of One Asbury Park: A Community Workforce Strategy – a workforce development plan aimed at increasing year-round employment opportunities for its residents.

The plan will be unveiled by consulting firm Thomas P. Miller & Associates during the 6 p.m. Nov 21 City Council Workshop Session, city officials said in a written statement.

The Administration, which began working on the plan in February, sought public input as well as guidance from close to 70 stakeholders,  who provided direction, challenges and barriers, and opportunities to enhance workforce quality and economic growth within city limits, officials said.

“We have succeeded in creating an actionable plan to increase employment opportunities for all City residents,” Mayor John Moor said. “Now, the hard work is ahead of us as we implement “One Asbury Park” and come together as a community with the goal of helping Asbury Park grow.”

The actionable workforce strategy is specific to local needs and dynamics, officials said. The plan is considered a living document aimed at unifying the community to ensure future economic growth, and is aligned with state, regional, and local workforce development plans. It identifies three main goals:

Expanding career opportunities for all Asbury Park residents: Includes a focus on making Asbury Park a year-round destination, expanding the local economy in target industry sectors, and supporting and growing local businesses.

Developing the talent required to support business growth and prosperity: Increasing coordination and collaboration between City and County services to expand and enhance career services available to residents.

Establishing a pipeline for the next generation of talent: Providing youth with career exploration and planning resources, work experiences and employment opportunities, and proper education and training.

Asbury Park is a 1.4 square mile community with a population of 14,945, according to a 2015 U.S Census Report. Of that population 41 percent are black, 32 percent Hispanic, and 24 percent are white. According to the report, 32 percent are living below the poverty line. The per capita income is $23,761 and the average home value is $308,600, with only 20 percent of the population listed as having obtained bachelor’s degrees.

To view the full report, click here.

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