The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development launched a partnership with the state’s advanced manufacturers, holding kickoff events throughout New Jersey, with the last of the series of three taking place Feb. 28 at Brand Aromatics in Lakewood.
The NJDOL says the goal of the industry partnerships model is to work collaboratively with businesses to identify workforce needs, including education level and specialized training, then support the sector by investing in strategies for success, which could include raising career awareness with millennials and high school students, identifying public partners, or identifying opportunities for collaboration or resource sharing. The department says industry partnerships position businesses to work with public partners, such as local colleges and universities, to resolve the most pressing workforce, economic and education challenges in their industry.
Because these partnerships are region-based, kickoffs were held at Eastern Millworks Inc. in Jersey City on Feb. 21, and Radwell International in Willingboro on Feb. 25.
“Industry Partnerships brought leaders in manufacturing together to discuss our biggest challenges, with the direct support of government and education in the room,” John Radwell, vice president of customer satisfaction at Radwell, said in a statement. “One of the most discussed issues is improving our talent pipeline, and this forum helped us agree to bring more students and teachers into our facilities, fostering internships, co-ops, and more hands-on opportunities.”
Manufacturing Industry Partnerships are designed to help manufacturers thrive in the Garden State; support Gov. Phil Murphy’s vision of a stronger, fairer economy; and be an important step in implementing the governor’s talent-based economic development plan Jobs NJ, according to the department.
The NJDOL says industry partnerships for New Jersey’s other key industries will include finance; retail trade; life sciences; health care; technology; construction and energy; leisure and hospitality; and transportation, distribution and logistics.
