The Port Authority Board of Commissioners today approved an extension of funding for the Council for Airport Opportunity (CAO), a nonprofit organization that provides airport-related recruitment and job placement services to minority and disadvantaged residents in Queens, New York and Newark, New Jersey.
The two-year agreement with CAO will assist local residents living in the vicinity of John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Newark Liberty International (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) Airports. The Port Authority is committing more than $3.8 million to continue to assist the program.
“The Port Authority, with our partners in the aviation industry, is making a substantial contribution to this worthy program to help local residents build careers in aviation,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “This is one of the many ways the Port Authority is demonstrating its commitment to the public through partnerships with the private sector.”
“Thousands of residents in Queens and New Jersey have successfully found employment with the assistance of CAO,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Jeff Lynford. “This program provides job training and work experience to residents living near our airports, and equips them with the skills they need to pursue an aviation career.”
The CAO recruits applicants and provides them with job-readiness counseling, career orientation and instruction in interviewing and job search techniques. The organization also works with airlines, service companies and the Port Authority to develop job opportunities and employment programs that will provide work experience to area residents.
The association made more than 3,700 referrals in 2016 and more than 6,000 referrals in 2017, which resulted in over 2,500 placements for 2016 through August 2017.
The CAO was created by a partnership of the Port Authority, airline companies, the offices of the mayor of New York City and Newark, and the Federal Aviation Administration.
