From 2002 to 2008, the Heldrich Center worked with the State of New Jersey 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, provided information to the state’s educational institutions, Workforce Investment Boards, students, and job seekers on the skill and educational requirements of key industries and occupations.

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 73 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 to 2006) resulted in three individual reports in the following areas, as well as an emerging skills report:

• Public Health
• Port Newark/Elizabeth
• Retail

In the final phase of the project (conducted between 2006 and 2008), the center focused on several industries highlighted in the state’s Economic Growth Strategy, as well as on several emerging areas of work, including:

• Finance
• Life Sciences
• Green Jobs
• Remote Work

Also, as part of the final phase, the Heldrich Center updated previously completed research on the workforce and skill needs of the construction and hospitality industries. Finally, the Heldrich Center also offered technical assistance to New Jersey-based Workforce Investment Boards and One-Stop Career Centers in the use of industry workforce data and information.

Products:

Building Skills and Alliances to Meet Demand in New Jersey’s Labor Market (2004)

Changing Landscape of Innovation: Priority Skill Needs of Employers in New Jersey’s Life Sciences Industry (2008)

Emerging Skill Needs of a Rapidly Changing, Innovation-Driven Economy (2007)

Green Jobs in New Jersey’s Energy Sector: Strategies for Building a World-Class Workforce for the State’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries (2009)

Investing for the Long Term: Priority Skill Needs of Employers in New Jersey’s Finance Industry (2008)

New Jersey’s Growing Remote Workforce and the Skill Requirements of Employers (2008)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey’s Construction Industry (2005)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey’s Finance Industry (2004)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey’s Health Care Industry (2004)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's IT Industry (2004)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Manufacturing Industry: Chemical Processing, Food Processing, Glass Production, and Printing and Publishing (2004)

Understanding the Workforce Needs of New Jersey's Public Health and Other Disaster Management Employers (2007)

Understanding the Workforce Needs of New Jersey's Retail Industry (2008)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Tourism and Hospitality Industry (2004)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Transportation and Logistics Industry Local and Interurban Passenger Transit, and Trucking & Warehousing (2004)

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey’s Utilities Industry Electric, Gas, Water and Sewer, and Local Telephone Services (2004)

Understanding the Workforce Needs of Employers Supporting the Operation of Port Newark and the Elizabeth Marine Terminal (2007)