SOMERSET, N.J., October 7, 2016 – Today, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Acting Commissioner Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D. of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development attended the NJ Manufacturing Extension Program’s (NJMEP) annual Made in New Jersey event celebrating the fifth National Manufacturing Day. Lt. Governor Guadagno gave the event’s key note address highlighting the importance of New Jersey’s manufacturing industry. 

“The manufacturing industry plays a pivotal role in providing nearly 250,000 hardworking residents with good paying jobs,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “This is not surprising when New Jersey is home to a talented workforce, which has propelled our state into becoming a global leader in research and development.”

At the event, Lt. Governor Guadagno and Acting Commissioner Fichtner both accepted a “Made in New Jersey Honor Roll Award” from NJMEP in honor of the Christie Administration and Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s efforts supporting the manufacturing industry in New Jersey.

“The manufacturing industry, and advanced manufacturing, is a backbone of the New Jersey economy, contributing nearly $33.1 billion to our state’s Gross Domestic Product in 2014. The Christie Administration is proud to celebrate the fifth annual National Manufacturing Day,” said Acting Commissioner Fichtner. “On behalf of the hardworking and dedicated staff at the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, thank you for this award.” 

In support of New Jersey’s manufacturing industry, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development makes significant investments in training manufacturing employees. The Department funds the Advanced Manufacturing Talent Network, one of seven Talent Networks created to support the seven key industry clusters that employ more than two-thirds of the workers in New Jersey and pay more than two-thirds of the annual wages. Talent Networks engage industry employers to pinpoint the relevant skills that jobseekers 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 jobseekers. In turn, properly-trained employees can help New Jersey businesses become more competitive and productive, which benefits the state’s overall economy.

The Advanced Manufacturing industry cluster utilizes computer-aided machinery and a streamlined production process, thereby reducing costs while maximizing output. More than 156,700 people were employed in industries classified as advanced manufacturing in New Jersey in 2015, representing about 66 percent of all manufacturing employment in the state. New Jersey’s advanced manufacturing industry establishments paid a total of more than $13.5 billion in wages in 2015, which is roughly 6.5 percent of the state’s total wages.

To learn more about the Advanced Manufacturing Talent Network visit: http://www.manufacturenj.org/

Acting Commissioner Aaron R. Fichtner accepts a “Made in NJ Honor Roll Award” on behalf
of the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development at NJMEP’s 5^th annual
Made in New Jersey event in Somerset, New Jersey.