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 In 2003, with support from Verizon New Jersey, the Career Connections initiative was launched to encourage New Jersey's leading industry and education groups to work more closely on career education. A statewide steering committee of employers, educators, and labor organizations was created to disseminate information to students, parents, teachers, and school counselors on the skills and education requirements needed to fill high-demand jobs in New Jersey's key industries.
 Since its inception, Career Connections has worked diligently to raise awareness about the changing education and training needs of New Jersey's 21st century economy. The program has hosted statewide conferences to showcase successful business-education training partnerships and new apprenticeship options. It has also shared career information with educators and counselors through the New Jersey Education Association, New Jersey School Boards Association, and New Jersey School Counselors Association.
 In addition to participation at large state conferences, Career Connections has rolled out a "high-tech, high-touch" strategy to reach students, counselors, and teachers by introducing them to cutting-edge career and education information available through www.njnextstop.org and www.heldrich.rutgers.edu. Hundreds of NJNextStop posters and mousepads have also been distributed to New Jersey high schools and colleges.
 Now, Career Connections is joining forces with Verizon's Access New Jersey online network to give more than 200 New Jersey schools the ability to access and share the latest course lessons, professional development, and demonstrations about careers and education needed to help students transition from schools to careers.
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