May-16-12 NEW JERSEY TALENT NETWORKS AND NJIT BRING TOGETHER PROFESSIONALS AND SMALL COMPANIES TO SPUR BUSINESSES GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT
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 -News Release- |
“This is an example of how Governor Chris Christie’s administration is creating new ways with our public and private partners in New Jersey to bring together businesses and people who are unemployed to spur the economic growth that will create more jobs in this state,” said Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the LWD.
The “People 2 Business” or P2B was a pre-arranged meeting between small technology, life science, manufacturing and financial services companies and more than 300 out-of-work professionals who have an expertise in those fields or in services ranging from IT and business finances to marketing. The professionals agreed to act as “volunteer mentors” to help the startup companies get the expertise they need to advance in the marketplace and grow into prosperous businesses.
In turn, the professionals created their own potential for freelance work, partnerships with the small companies or paid positions. The experience also adds to their resume. When the two groups were brought together, they were left to make their own volunteer, partnership or employment arrangements.
“These professionals hold an expertise that is very important to the growth and success of these start-up and fledgling companies. We hope that by bringing the two groups together in this unique way, we are providing the beginnings of success for both groups,” said Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner, who spoke at the P2B event opening.
NJIT, the state’s lead partner behind ManufactureNJ, the “Advanced Manufacturing Talent Network,” hosted the event at its Campus Center in Newark along with the LWD and the partners behind three other Talent Networks created for Financial Services, Life Sciences and Technology & Entrepreneurship.
Two days ago, BioNJ, the state’s lead partner behind the Life Sciences Talent Network, hosted 130 human resource leaders and their staff from companies involved in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics and contract research organizations from across the region at the inaugural BioNJ Life Sciences HR Conference at the Hilton East Brunswick in Middlesex County. The event enabled the company representatives to hear new, contemporary ideas from powerful industry speakers about navigating the challenges faced by New Jersey’s life sciences industry.
Along with Health Care and the Transportation, Logistics and Distribution industries, the six business sectors represented by the New Jersey Talent Networks employ more than half the workers in New Jersey and pay more than two-thirds of the wages earned.
The LWD issued a grant last year for the creation of the six Talent Networks to bring together higher education, economic development agencies and, most of all, New Jersey businesses in the six major industry sectors. The strategy is to develop avenues for the labor force to develop skills that will help businesses in the six major industry sectors to grow and prosper in New Jersey.
By being trained in those skills, students and job-seekers will be able to find long-term employment and successful careers in New Jersey, helping the economy to expand.
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Judith Sheft and Gale Spak of NJIT (left) joined Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner (right) in speaking with one of nearly 90 small business owners who met with more than 300 out-of-work professionals at a New Jersey Talent Network People 2 Business gathering held at NJIT in Newark.
