Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, Inc. (GRWDB)

About

There are two operating units often referred to collectively as the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board, serving Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, as referenced in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board (GRWDB) is the entity responsible for planning, policy, and oversight and employing staff to carry out its priorities. The Greater Raritan Fiscal Agent (County of Somerset, NJ) is the recipient and custodian of federal and state workforce investment grant funds. In order to establish a governance structure for the Greater Raritan Local Area, certified by the New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission, both Boards of County Commissioners of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties and the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board entered into a “Joint Agreement” to further define roles and responsibilities of the partners. The Joint Agreement was first entered into on January 31, 2003, and has been revised several times over the past two decades. An updated Joint Agreement was entered into on January 1, 2023, and can be read here. Among other provisions, the Joint Agreement: Establishes GRWDB Member appointments, and GRWDB Board responsibilities. Designates staff and committee structures. Designates the County of Somerset, New Jersey as the Grant Recipient and Fiscal Agent. Requires the GRWDB to develop a four-year Local Plan and participate in the development of a four-year Regional Plan. The GRWDB is responsible for the planning and oversight of the local One-Stop system. This includes working with the Chief Elected Official (CEO) of Somerset County and the Governor to get agreement on local Performance Standards. As part of the Joint Agreement, the GRWDB also competitively selects a One-Stop Operator, Career-Training Services provider(s), Youth Services provider(s), WorkFirst New Jersey provider(s) and Workforce Learning Link provider(s). With agreement of the CEO, the GRWDB enters into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Local Area’s One-Stop Partners for the development and operation of comprehensive One-Stop Centers in the two counties: in Somervllle and Flemington. Details of the contracts and MOU are on the Greater Raritan's One-Stop Partners page. For more information about GRWDB programs, partners and services, visit www.thegrwdb.org.