Center to recruit, train workers for AC resorts

John Curran

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

ATLANTIC CITY -- A new casino is tackling an old problem in Atlantic City, providing basic education and "life skills" training in hopes of getting at the root of this shore town's enigmatic unemployment problem.

The Atlantic City Jobs & Opportunities Training Center, a $2 million initiative by the owners of the under-construction Borgata casino, opened Monday, intent not only on recruiting dealers and front desk clerks for Borgata but dealing other casinos in, too.

The center fulfills a promise made by former Mirage Resorts Inc. Chairman Steve Wynn, who agreed to train and put to work 2,000 unemployed and underemployed Atlantic City residents when he was seeking approvals for his planned casino.

His former company Mirage Resorts was merged into MGM Grand to form MGM MIRAGE. MGM MIRAGE is partnered with Boyd Gaming Corp. in The Borgata, a 2,010-room casino that is expected to hire 5,000 people by the time it begins taking bets next July.

Located in an office building in the city's Atlantic Avenue business district, the center includes a mock front desk, a mock pit cage and a mock cashier, in addition to computer-equipped classrooms.

"We want to provide life skills and job training to help people who have historically found it difficult to get jobs and keep them," said Kevin Sullivan, senior vice president and chief administrative officer.

"We believe there's a way to break that cycle, through highly individualized and specialized attention," he said.

Unemployment has historically been one of the puzzles of casino-era Atlantic City.

The jobless rate here last year averaged 9.3 percent -- second highest in the state -- despite the presence of an industry that employs more than 45,000 people and always has job openings.

"If we had 100 casinos, there would still be a portion of the population unable to get jobs," said the Rev. Reginald S. Floyd, pastor of the Allen A.M.E. Church.

"Whether it's disabilities or whatever, they're unable to work in the hospitality industry. This is going to make a dent in that," said Floyd, who is on the center's Advisory Board.

The center will use instructors from Atlantic Cape Community College, the Fairleigh Dickinson School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management program and the Casino Career Institute.

And it won't just teach casino skills. The free program has five components: life and employability skills training; occupational skills training; professional development; hospitality training; and building and construction trades apprentice work.

In addition, GED preparation, English as a second language and blue print reading instruction will be available.

"Heretofore, we have not seen this kind of aggressive pursuit (by casinos) to do the right thing for Atlantic City residents," said Mayor Lorenzo Langford. "They've put their money where their mouth is here. This will empower Atlantic City residents and make them feel vested in this casino experience."

Among the first customers Monday were Bernadette Nesbitt, 31, and Monique Anderson, 28, both of Atlantic City.

"I'm looking to get work as a marketing rep," Nesbitt said on her way in. "I've worked as a utility porter and a valet cashier, but I want something better."

Anderson, pushing her 16-month-old daughter in a stroller, said she is working at a drug store. Before that, she was on public assistance.

"I've been on welfare before, and I don't like it," Anderson said.