At a recent OCBA lunch meeting, Diana Monti (Center Operator) and Sylvia Hernandez (Business Services) explained, in practical terms, how the Ocean County Career Center helps local companies fill jobs, reduce onboarding costs, and build a steady talent pipeline. Below is a detailed summary you can use to hire faster and smarter in Ocean County.
Built for Ocean County’s real labor market
Diana and Sylvia stressed a point many of us see daily: Ocean County’s economy skews toward hands-on work and industry-recognized credentials. The skills mix here differs from job markets just 25–50 miles away.
The Career Center aligns candidate preparation with local employer needs—so training dollars, credentials, and job referrals reflect what actually moves the needle for businesses here.
How they work with employers (start to finish)
When an employer contacts the Center, Sylvia’s team begins with a short intake: your industry, role requirements, schedules, pay range, credentials or clearances, and any must-have skills. They translate that information into a recruiting plan and pre-screen candidates before sending referrals.
Behind the scenes, their career transition specialists assess job seekers’ literacy and skills, recommend training, and verify readiness – so you spend less time sorting resumes and more time interviewing viable applicants.
The Center can also:
- Promote openings via targeted email to active job seekers.
- Host recruiting events at its new facility—single-employer interview days or multi-employer “targeted industry” events (transportation/logistics, trades, healthcare, admin, and more).
- Coordinate with third-party vendors you use (for example, if a new software platform or background screen is part of onboarding).
All employer services are free for New Jersey W-2 employers. Companies serving Ocean and Monmouth counties qualify so long as they’re NJ W-2.
Reduce onboarding costs with paid training support
Some roles aren’t taught in a classroom – they’re learned on your floor. The Career Center helps here too:
- On-the-Job Training (OJT) wage reimbursement: up to $10,000 per new hire for full-time roles (35+ hours/week). You teach your process; the program helps offset wages during training. There’s a required minimum wage for eligibility, no maximum pay limit, and the grant simply caps at $10,000. Employment remains at-will; if the match isn’t right, you can end it just as you would with any new hire.
- Apprenticeships and hiring incentives: the team connects you to apprenticeship partners and tax credits available for specific hiring populations. They don’t cut the checks themselves, but they guide you to the right programs and help you navigate the paperwork.
A stronger candidate pipeline (and why it matters to you)
Job seekers come from every stage of working life:
- Youth (16–24) via the Youth Achievement Center in partnership with Ocean County College – finishing school, building life skills, and starting careers.
- Displaced homemakers and career changers seeking stability and new credentials.
- Experienced workers 55+ picking up part- or full-time hours.
To raise candidate quality, the Center funds training up to $7,000 per person for in-demand skills—examples discussed included CDL, LPN, and Microsoft Office/administrative tracks. Before a referral reaches your desk, the candidate has completed assessments, selected training with staff guidance, and progressed through a plan—so you meet applicants who are prepared and motivated.
The pipeline is active. In the most recent quarter alone, the Center fielded 150+ new inquiries directly, plus a steady flow of referrals from partner agencies serving residents who want to move from public assistance to sustainable work.
Practical help that goes beyond the interview
Retention starts before day one. If a new hire needs support that sits outside the workplace, the Center taps its partner network for childcare, transportation, housing, ESL, high-school completion, and mental-health resources. That scaffolding helps employees show up and succeed – good for families and good for your production schedule.
A new, expanded facility designed for hiring
The Career Center has moved into a modern campus at 1005 Hooper Avenue, Toms River (near the VA Clinic). The location features:
- Multiple meeting rooms – from interview suites to rooms large enough for industry hiring fairs.
- Event hosting for single-employer or multi-employer recruitment.
- Tours and onsite support from staff who set up the day, greet candidates, and keep things moving.
Other buildings on the campus are still coming online, but the employer-facing spaces are fully functional and ready for use.
Funded to help you, at no cost to you
Services are funded primarily by public workforce dollars administered locally. That’s why the Center can offer no-cost recruiting support, candidate preparation, and access to training funds for eligible hires—without adding to your overhead.
A real-world success story
An OCBA member shared during the meeting how a Career Center specialist reviewed her experience, curated roles, and guided her into a new position that fit perfectly. That same curation and pre-screening is available to employers: you describe the job and culture; the Center lines up people who match.
Get started
Post openings:
send your job descriptions and requirements.
Set up OJT:
ask for an on-the-job training reimbursement plan for upcoming hires (up to $10,000 each).
Book a hiring event:
reserve space at the Hooper Avenue facility for interviews or a targeted job fair.
Ask about apprenticeships and incentives:
let the team point you to programs that fit your roles.
Best first step: submit the Contact Us form on the Ocean County Career Center website. A staff member will follow up to gather details and schedule a visit. Prefer an onsite meeting at your shop or office? They’ll come to you.
OCBA extends a sincere thank-you to Diana Monti and Sylvia Hernandez for a clear, actionable overview – and for the vital role the Career Center plays in keeping Ocean County businesses staffed and growing.