WEST WINDSOR, N.J., Sept. 29, 2014 – The Christie Administration affirmed its commitment to provide resources for New Jersey businesses and employers today when staff from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development joined the Financial Services Talent Network for its inaugural statewide industry luncheon today at Mercer County Community College. 

Representatives from the banking, insurance, accounting and lending industries as well as chambers of commerce, business organizations and state government agencies attended the event to network, gain feedback on the direction the industry is moving in the Garden State and to learn how the state’s Financial Services Talent Network can provide resources to assist companies with staffing needs, training and development. 

The Financial Services Talent Network, funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is managed by the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey. The Financial Services Talent Network is one of seven Talent Networks created to focus on the industry clusters employing more than two-thirds of New Jersey workers and pay more than two-thirds of the wages paid annually. 

According to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, 15 of the state’s top 75 employers are finance and insurance firms, and their combined employment represents approximately 40 percent of the jobs in New Jersey’s finance and insurance industries. 

“We are happy to partner with the African-American Chamber and have the group lead our Financial Services Talent Network,” said New Jersey Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths. “This is one of the state’s key industries and I’m confident the Chamber will continue to connect employers with talent and the resources available to continue expanding.” 

The Talent Networks engage industry employers to pinpoint the relevant skills that job-seekers need to get jobs in those major industry clusters and the Talent Networks link employers with the state’s educational institutions, employee training providers, state officials and job-seekers. In turn, properly trained employees can help New Jersey businesses become more competitive and productive, which benefits the state’s overall economy. 

Six other Talent Networks have been created around the following industry clusters: Life Sciences; Transportation, Logistics and Distribution; Health Care; Advanced Manufacturing; Technology and Entrepreneurship; and Retail, Hospitality and Tourism. 

For information about New Jersey’s key industry sectors go to: http://careerconnections.nj.gov/careerconnections/plan/career/the_right_career_for_you_index.shtml.

For information about New Jersey's Talent Networks go to: http://careerconnections.nj.gov/careerconnections/partners/talent/talent_networks.shtml.