In Atlantic City and a group of local government, labor and gambling industry leaders have reportedly come to together to back a proposal that is set to see the community’s casinos begin employing less foreign-born workers holding a J-1 student visas.

According to a Thursday report from The Press of Atlantic City newspaper, the plan is being backed by the Casino Association of New Jersey, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Local 54 branch of the Unite Here union and will moreover involve a commitment to hiring native workers to fill any future job vacancies.

Tight timeline:

The newspaper reported that the system is to also include the establishment this autumn of various job training programs that are to be designed to prepare local residents for the possibility of being able to start work within one of the New Jersey city’s nine casinos from as early as next year.

Area advancement:

Steve Callender, President for the Casino Association of New Jersey, reportedly told The Press of Atlantic City that the arrangement, which has additionally received support from local city and state officials, could lead to several hundred new jobs for New Jersey residents as they won’t be competing with foreign-born nationals for positions. The newspaper explained that J-1 student visas allow aliens in the United States pursuing academic advancement to secure a wide range of part-time employment opportunities.

Callender reportedly told The Press of Atlantic City…

“We’ve always been receptive of the idea of putting Atlantic City people to work first so it’s going to have to be a program that is well thought out and organized and gets people on board.”

Timely teamwork:

The newspaper reported that Atlantic City mayor Marty Small is also a proponent of the coming scheme with the Democrat recently declaring that ‘government and casinos could have done better’ with regards to prioritizing job opportunities for local residents over the course of the city’s 42-year history of legalized gambling.

Small reportedly told the newspaper…

“This further clarifies my administration’s stance with the good people of Atlantic City, working with the casino industry, towards employing more Atlantic City residents, which is a priority. I’m happy that this is going to happen. But we’re not about finger-pointing. We’re moving forward and creating opportunities.”