Focus NJ today released a new online mapping tool and resource page that provides an interactive database of workforce development programs, initiatives and locations throughout New Jersey.
Focus NJ’s Workforce Development Initiatives and Opportunities Resource Page, which features more than 200 unique entries for today’s launch, is designed to provide a dynamic, public resource to promote collaboration and advance training efforts for New Jersey workers.
The effort was spurred from recommendations made by Focus NJ and NJBIA’s Education and Workforce Development Taskforce for the Education Equation report series.
“New Jersey has a growing stable of quality training and retraining programs and this one-stop resource can be used by all members of business, government and academia to promote collaboration, as well as for the worker who is simply looking for opportunities to improve their skills,” said Focus NJ Executive Director Kyle Sullender.
“Further, this resource will be continually updated as workforce development programs are created or are submitted to Focus NJ by the entities themselves. We will continue to capture the entirety of what is available and keep it evergreen in this single location.”
Users of the Workforce Development Initiative and Opportunities Resource Page can search for workforce development programs by industry, county or keyword search.
Results will be delivered both by a map on the right side of the page and a list of programs on the left. In either case, each result provides the name and summary of information for each program, as well as its physical address, contact information and website, if available.
“New Jersey’s workforce development initiatives, which are implemented by state, county and local governments, our higher ed institutions and private entities, should be celebrated as they provide accessible and affordable training to workers, which leads to well-paying jobs and careers,” Sullender said.
“Focus NJ is proud to produce this hub to bring more awareness to the myriad of workforce development efforts in our state and to have them all in one, easy-to-access location. We look forward to continuing to add to the list as more initiatives become available,” Sullender said.
Focus NJ acknowledges and thanks Bank of America for helping to make this database possible through its support of the Bank of America Fellowship Program.
The page will be periodically updated to add new programs, revise information, and to improve the database’s functionality. Organizations that participate in ongoing workforce development programs or initiatives can submit details for inclusion here. All entries are reviewed prior to inclusion.
Focus NJ – the Center for Economic Research and Workforce Solutions – is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research foundation launched by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association in February 2020. It provides deep analysis of public policies, industry trends and economic indicators that impact New Jersey’s overall affordability, workforce and competitiveness.