The Heldrich Center has been working with the State of New Jersey since 2002 to conduct extensive research to determine the skill and workforce needs of key current and emerging industries for the State. This research effort, led by the New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the New Jersey Department of Education, provides information to the State's educational institutions, workforce investment boards, students, and job seekers on the skill and education requirements of key industries and occupations.
Current Ready for the Job efforts are aligned with the priorities of Governor Corzine's Economic Growth Strategy for the State of New Jersey. The Heldrich Center is creating three statewide industry workforce action plans that identify employers' priority skill needs and steps that state agencies and educational institutions can take to better address these needs. Workforce plans focus on the finance, life sciences, and renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
In 2002, the Heldrich Center was commissioned by the State of New Jersey to launch an initiative to inform policymakers, career counselors, educators and employers about the skills that New Jersey employers expect to be in demand. The first phase of the project (conducted during the period 2002-2004) resulted in a summary report as well as nine individual reports that analyzed seventy-three key jobs in eight growth industries as well as an emerging skills report. The industries profiled were:
- Construction
- Finance
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Transportation and Logistics
- Utilities
The second phase of the project (conducted during the period 2004 - 2006) resulted in three individual reports in the following areas, as well as an emerging skills report:
- Retail
- Public Health
- Port Newark/Port Elizabeth
All reports and project-related documents are disseminated through the State of New Jersey's career education and awareness website, NJNextStop.
Products:
Emerging Skills Presentation
Emerging Skills (2004)
Emerging Skills (2007)
Finance Industry (2004)
Finance Industry (2008)
Healthcare Industry
IT Industry
Life Sciences Industry
Manufacturing Industry
Port Newark/Elizabeth
Public Health Industry
Remote Work
Retail Industry
Tourism Industry
Transportation Industry
Utilities Industry
Materials from December 2008 High Skills/High Wages Conference:
Breakout Session Guide - Secondary Education
Breakout Session Guide - Postsecondary Education
PowerPoint Presentation
Breakout Session Participant Guide
Conducted for the New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the New Jersey Department of Education.