With so many of NJ’s unemployed up in arms about a recent announcement concerning the restructuring of the PSG (Professional Service Group), I’d like to address the rumors. PSG is not being disbanding; it’s coming back with a new name and will be bigger and better than ever!
PSG is being rebranded and will be rolled out in July, 2012 as Jersey Job Clubs. The goal of the transformation is to have Jersey Job Club coverage in every local area - county and major cities throughout the state, and also to begin six statewide sector-based Jersey Job Clubs. This is exciting news!
The former PSG group serviced less than 1% of the over 400,000 unemployed people in NJ. In addition, the people serviced were located in mostly suburban areas and not the cities where unemployment rates are the highest. Many people who would have liked to attend the meetings, trainings and networking events were put off by the word, “Professional” in the title; they felt the group was for managerial level professionals or those with advanced degrees.
Over the next two months, members of the Bureau of Labor and Workforce Development will be conducting a series of focus groups with former PSG members, facilitators and jobseekers to understand the needs of jobseekers and to compile a list of best practices. The Jersey Job Clubs will also incorporate many exciting tools including jobs4jersey.com resources and resume registration, effective job search techniques, interview preparation, labor market information and speakers who will provide consistent information around the state.
I look forward to the rollout of the Jersey Job Clubs and hope that you will join me in welcoming the change.
3 comments:
There are a few groups in NJ who are welcoming the displaced PSG members. NJ Unemployed: http://www.njunemployed.com/
and the LinkedIn Group - Neighbors Helping Neighbors USA.
I'm sure there are others if you need something to tide you over until July 1, 2012. You might try looking for PSG NJ in Twitter.
Also, the local public libraries are offering a variety of job search programs that many might find helpful.
PSG is dead! Not rebranded!
The new Job Club has nothing to do with volunteers helping to train unemployed, all the training will be done by DOL employees.
PSG members will not automatically be in the Job Club, in fact the club has a 6 month limit on membership.
The opinions in this blog echo the comments made by DOL employees who disbanded PSG in the first place.
This is not coming from someone who actually knew PSG!
Disappointing!
I am sorry you are disappointed. I do know the PSG but I also know a lot more about change management. I think that it may be best for everyone to take a breath, see what happens and in the meantime continue learning and networking.
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