Industry Leaders Partner with NJ Department of Labor to  Strengthen Key Sectors in the Garden State 

TRENTON – Regional business leaders in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) will launch three new industry partnerships in health care; energy; and transportation, distribution, and logistics (TDL) this month. Virtual kick-off events will take place September 23, 29, and 30.

New Jersey Industry Partnerships convene business leaders in the identified key industries to work cooperatively with NJDOL and other public sector organizations and stakeholders to meet the priorities set by New Jersey businesses. Engaging industry employers to lead the partnerships ensures business-led priorities are the focus and lead to meaningful impact business can rally around.

These new partnerships will expand NJDOL’s industry partnership program, which has already established manufacturing partnerships in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state and a statewide life sciences partnership. Examples of business-led priorities could include modifying training programs to align with business needs, developing career ladders for workers to create a pipeline of talent, or designing externships for educators to ensure they are familiar with an industry and the technology used to in turn share information about opportunities with students and parents.

Industry partnerships strengthen regional economies in the Garden State, support Gov. Murphy’s vision of a stronger, fairer economy, and forward his talent-based economic development plan, Jobs NJ.

“Establishing strong communication lines between our department and our business leaders is essential to ensuring that we foster strong talent pipelines relevant to in-demand sectors,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “These partnerships give a voice to our industry experts and business leaders and serve as a bullhorn to make sure their voice is heard by those who can provide the tools and resources they need to stay strong and competitive.”

Because these partnerships are regionally based, the energy partnership will convene in the southern part of the state; central New Jersey is the hub for the transportation, distribution, and logistics partnership; and the health care partnership will be centered in the North Jersey region.

TDL business champion Michael Earle, owner of Earle Co., said, “I’m glad to participate and contribute to the success of our industry. This partnership will bring together regional leaders in our industry to tackle the most pressing issues we’re facing.”

“I’m looking forward to working closely with my strategically- and collaboratively minded peers to strengthen New Jersey’s health care sector,” added Diana Candelejo, director of Anchor Strategy, Social Impact & Community Investment, RWJ Barnabas Health.

“We look forward to partnering with NJDOL and energy leaders from across our state to drive growth and job opportunities in a clean energy economy,” said Gary Stockbridge, Atlantic City Electric Region President. “We need to accelerate efforts now that will bring cleaner air to our neighborhoods, help improve equity in our communities through job opportunities and targeted resources, and by combatting the effects of climate change in a real way.”

Industry partnership leaders are actively looking to the business community to participate and lead. To learn more, email njip@dol.nj.gov, or go to industrypartnerships.nj.gov.

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