NEWARK, N.J., April 13, 2015 – Highlighting a key Garden State industry cluster that impacts a range of industries within the state, the Christie administration kicked off New Jersey Technology and Entrepreneurship Industry Week to connect people with jobs, training opportunities and resources in this growing field in the state. Students, entrepreneurs and business, education and government leaders gathered for the third annual event held on campus at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark.

The New Jersey Technology and Entrepreneurship Talent Network, host of today’s event, will hold a series of special events at businesses and college campuses in various parts of the state through Friday, April 17, 2015, to promote the technology industry and exhibit innovations that will shape the next generation of techies.

“We understand that technology influences nearly every industry today and we recognize tech companies and entrepreneurs play an important role in providing highly-skilled workers and high-paying jobs in New Jersey,” said state Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths. “My department created the Talent Networks to be a conduit that successfully merges New Jersey’s talent with the training and skills employers have identified as essential in a key sector. This new training model gives employers well-trained employees with relevant skills who are ready to go to work and gives the employee a real job that’s in demand and offers a sustainable career.”

Technology and Entrepreneurship Week opened with a presentation from the CEO and founder of PeopleProductive.com, Frank Wander, who talked about the need to “Rehumanize Work” and grow a generation of leaders who understand how to unlock the productivity and potential of their workforce. Additionally, Assistant Commissioner Jeff Stoller presented a proclamation from Governor Chris Christie marking April 13 through April 17, 2015 as Technology and Entrepreneurship Week in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology operates the Technology and Entrepreneurship Talent Network and serves as a comprehensive resource for employers, job-seekers, the education community and the workforce development system. The Technology and Entrepreneurship Talent Network is one of seven Talent Networks created by the New Jersey Labor Department to focus on industry clusters that are driving the state’s economy.

More than two-thirds of New Jersey workers are employed in the seven industry clusters, which account for more than two-thirds of wages paid in New Jersey. The other six Talent Network center around industries in: Transportation, Logistics and Distribution; Life Sciences; Advanced Manufacturing; Financial Services; Health Care; and Retail, Hospitality and Tourism.

Events during the week include:

April 14:  – Growing the Technology Economy in New Jersey at the South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University, Glassboro

April 15:  – Entrepreneurship Panel and Discussion at the Juice Tank, Somerset

April 16:  – Building a Business on Technology: Beyond Patents Trademarks & Copyrights at Innovation Plaza, Summit

April 17:  – What's Next In Cyber Security & Big Data at St. Peter's University, Jersey City

For a full schedule of Technology and Entrepreneurship Industry Week events go to www.njtetn.org.

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

Assistant Labor Commissioner Jeff Stoller helped to kick off Technology and Entrepreneurship
Industry Week today at NJIT in Newark by presenting Karen Richards (left), Interim Director
of the Technology and Entrepreneurship Talent Network; and Gale Tenen Spak (right),
Associate VP, Continuing and Distance Education with proclamations from
Governor Chris Christie.