-News Release-

ISELIN, N.J., Jan. 24, 2012 _ Continuing Governor Chris Christie’s policy of creating private sector jobs by boosting key industries, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) presented a $342,800 Customized Training grant to the New Jersey Food Council to upgrade the skills of nearly 3,000 workers.

The grant will enable the Council to provide training for 3,000 workers in New Jersey’s grocery and food distribution industry. The Council will contribute $354,390 in matching funds under a training plan that could generate jobs for 700 new workers.

The grant was presented to the Council leadership by Dr. Aaron Fichtner, LWD Deputy Commissioner, at the New Jersey Food Council’s Annual Membership Meeting held at the Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin.

“The Customized Training grant program works with individual employers or a consortium to tailor training to fit their unique needs and to improve productivity and competitiveness at their worksites,” said Deputy Commissioner Fichtner. “Customized Training grants not only raise the productivity and skills of workers, but also increases a business’s ability to compete in a constantly changing economy.”

The New Jersey Food Council is the state’s food industry trade association with 400 members representing over 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, and manufacturing and service companies that supply them.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) recently awarded the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) a Customized Training grant to upgrade the skills of nearly 3,000 NJFC member workers. The training, provided by Rutgers University Office of Continuing and Professional Education, includes courses in leadership skills, customer service, and food products retailing. Dr. Aaron Fichtner (second right), LWD Deputy Commissioner, presented a ceremonial check to Phil Scaduto (second left), Chairman of the Board, NJFC and Linda Doherty (far right), President, NJFC, at the New Jersey Food Council’s Annual Membership Meeting held at the Hilton Woodbridge in Iselin. Kathleen Marrs (far left), is the Senior Program Administrator, Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education.