Strengthening Career Guidance for New Jersey High School Students

This report is based on the findings of a conference held in October 2003 by the Heldrich Center and the State of New Jersey. The report includes the highlights of major speeches by Heldrich Center director Van Horn, Labor Commissioner Kroll, and Education Commissioner Librera, and of breakout discussions that included educators, counselors, business people, and researchers. The report highlights well-documented recommendations regarding improvements in career guidance, education, and awareness in the public schools, and in how local alliances and partnerships can play a major role in preparing students for a dynamic workforce. Includes findings of Heldrich Center-Fund for New Jersey survey of high school students regarding careers and preparation for college

The 70 Percent Solution Summary Report

This summary report offers a different vision of how educators, employers, parents, and all those who care about the development of young people should understand and address life after high school. The report finds that students and all Americans need better and more informed choices for the next step after high school, and at every stage of their careers, as they seek the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in the workplace and meet their economic necessities. It calls upon parents, students, policymakers, and educators to recognize the realities and opportunities of the changing new economy for people of different educational backgrounds -- and to support the increasing importance of lifelong learning to the success of so many Americans

The 70 Percent Solution: Five Principles for Helping Young People Make Decisions During and After High School

This report offers a different vision of how educators, employers, parents, and all those who care about the development of young people should understand and address life after high school. The report finds that students and all Americans need better and more informed choices for the next step after high school, and at every stage of their careers, as they seek the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in the workplace and meet their economic necessities. It calls upon parents, students, policymakers, and educators to recognize the realities and opportunities of the changing new economy for people of different educational backgrounds -- and to support the increasing importance of lifelong learning to the success of so many Americans

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Construction Industry

The construction industry is integral to New Jersey's economy, employing over 160,000 people. Nationally and in New Jersey, the construction industry is thriving, injecting billions of dollars into the state. Jobs in the industry are changing with an influx of new technology and new building materials, requiring that workers have more technical expertise than in the past. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key construction occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the key workforce challenges facing the industry

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Health Care Industry

The health care industry in New Jersey employs almost 350,000 people. However, state, national, and international shortages of nurses is raising widespread concern in the industry. Jobs in the industry are changing in response to pressures to control costs and the demands of an increasingly consolidated industry. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key health care occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Finance Industry

The finance industry in New Jersey employs over 200,000 people. Many more workers benefit from the state's proximity to the finance industry in New York City. Jobs in the industry are evolving rapidly in response to national and global trends, such as deregulation, increasingly complex laws, and new technologies. As jobs change, skill requirements for both entry-level and incumbent workers increase. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key finance occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Ready for Tomorrow: Demand-Side Emerging Skills for the 21st Century

As part of the Ready for the Job demand-side skill assessment, the Heldrich Center explored emerging work skills that will affect New Jersey's workforce in the next three to five years. The Heldrich Center identified five specific areas likely to generate new skill demands: biotechnology, security, e-learning, e-commerce, and food/agribusiness. This report explores the study's findings and offers recommendations for improving education and training in New Jersey

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's Utilities Industry

The utilities industry provides essential electricity, gas, water and sewer, and local telephone services to residents and businesses throughout New Jersey. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key occupations in gas, electric, water and sewer, and telephone services. It also identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry

Building Skills and Alliances to Meet Demand in New Jersey's Labor Market

This summary report examines the Ready for the Job initiatve, which profiled the skill and occupational requirements of 73 occupations in New Jersey. This report highlights four cross-industry demand skills: math and technology skills, problem solving and critical skills, communication and teamwork skills, and entrepreneurship and business skills

Understanding Occupational and Skill Demand in New Jersey's IT Industry

The information technology industry in New Jersey employs workers in an array of occupations and settings. This report summarizes the skill, knowledge, and educational requirements of key information technology occupations and identifies strategies for meeting the workforce challenges facing the industry