The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development has recently announced the soft launch of their new job search and career navigation website CareerConnections.nj.gov, offering an easy, more modern feel, while providing businesses and job seekers with employment assistance, training and resources from workforce experts.
More importantly, Career Connections creates consistent and straight forward support throughout the state. Many NJBIA members that have contacted the various One Stops and Workforce Development Boards have reported inconsistent responses and varying levels of assistance when looking for new hires, employee training funds, and working with their industry Talent Networks. This is likely to change; NJ Career Connections was designed in collaboration with and will be utilized not only by government agencies, but also by your local county colleges, libraries and community-based organizations.
When fully implemented, the NJ Career Connections Network will offer businesses and job seekers an unprecedented 800+ locations where they can access a unified approach to career exploration and navigation.
The new website continues to offer OnRamp, a free job-posting site run by the state. Thousands of employers have used OnRamp to find the right workers for them, as well as registering for the next job fairs. It also has information on New Jersey’s seven industry Talent Networks, applications for job-training funds and guidelines on labor laws.
To assist students and job seekers, the New Jersey Career Connections website offers an easy-to-follow plan for success—The Path to Employment. Recognizing that people come to their job search with different life experiences and goals, the Path to Employment is not a “one-size-fits-all” prescription, but an organized framework of expert insights and actionable guidance to find and maintain careers. The Path to Employment consists of three overarching steps: Plan, Prepare, and Succeed. Each step provides information and activities that jobseekers might utilize throughout their search for employment.
While the new website is available now, a public announcement will not be made until the fall, when the Career Connections network has been fully implemented. If you have any thoughts or if you begin to experience any technical difficulties, please let me know. I am look forward to your thoughts and insights on the new website: tseville@njbia.org
