If we are to respond to the challenges that we now face as a state and seize this critical moment to create a more equitable and resilient economy, we must build accessible, industry-valued education and training pathways that expand opportunity, and prepare our workforce with the skills that employers need in this rapidly changing economy.
New Jersey’s 18 community colleges are committed to aligning curriculum with the skills and credentials deemed valuable in New Jersey’s key industries, and to strengthening partnerships with and between businesses, labor unions, county vocational-technical high schools, four-year colleges and universities, workforce development organizations, and community-based organizations.
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Health Services providers and their employees have been on the frontlines of this pandemic providing essential services in a wide variety of settings, from hospitals to long-term care facilities. As the largest industry sector in the state, the health services industry employs about one worker for every 20 residents. Health Services employers paid nearly $28.3 billion in total wages in 2018 and the state forecasts that 78,300 new jobs will be added by 2026.
At the center of the northeast corridor and with a long history of manufacturing, New Jersey has long played a central role in the global economy. The manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and transportation industry employed 652,131 in 2018 and remains a significant part of our economy. Manufacturing employers paid nearly $20 billion in total wages in 2018. At least 37% of this workforce does not have more than a high school diploma. Supply Chain Management contributed $66.9 billion to the state’s Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2018.
Technology & Innovation is a growing sector that crosses many occupations across our state that encompass everything from hardware and software to powering the future of work. The average annual wage for the sector was $129,263 in 2018, nearly double the statewide average. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) occupations accounted for half of the sectors occupational employment in 2018 and is expected to experience a 9.8% employment growth by 2026.
The Energy industry is critical to the economy of the state and changes to the industry (from the retirement of existing employees to the continued expansion of renewable energy) will have significant impacts on workforce needs. New Jersey’s commitment to develop significant Off Shore Wind Energy capacity will create thousands of new jobs.