NJMEP Hosts Trenton Manufacturing Summit Bringing Together State Legislators and Manufacturing Industry Leaders

Re-inventing New Jersey’s manufacturing industry for the resurging US economy was the topic of discussion when senior leaders of New Jersey’s manufacturing sector met with New Jersey State legislators last week during special summits held in Trenton and Florham Park. The summits, hosted by the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, a non-profit organization that helps improve the profitability and competitiveness of Garden State manufacturers, provided a series of presentations, panel discussions and networking events where the challenges facing the industry were openly and vigorously discussed.

While legislators and managers talked about small business tax codes, permitting and environmental regulations, the single most critical challenge emerging from the discussions was the need to attract and retain a qualified workforce. New Jersey 10,000 manufacturers represent a $50 billion industry that employs more than 360,000 people in the state, according to NJMEP.

"We have great schools in New Jersey, at every level, but no real program management goals when it comes to vocational schooling, and that's where the NJMEP is critical," said John W. Kennedy, CEO of New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program. "We are working hard to make sure our New Jersey manufacturers get the skilled labor force they need to stay competitive globally."

“New Jersey is the birthplace of manufacturing in the U.S., and yet we're also the largest exporter of our talented young people, which threatens the economy of the state," said Donald Sebastian, of New Jersey Innovation Institute. "Jersey manufacturing is a vibrant contributor to the national economy, and we need to make our young people see there are good jobs right here at home."

Throughout the group there was a sense of renewed optimism, with more than a few attendees excited by the current administration’s pledge to keep jobs in the US and favor trade legislation that would keep American manufacturers competitive.

“Small businesses and medium-sized businesses really are the economic engine here in New Jersey and we have a real variety of them,” said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey who attended the Florham Park event. “We need to support them, give them opportunities to expand, give them what they need in terms of tax credits and a workforce that can do the jobs for them so that they stay here.”

“It’s up to us in the manufacturing industry to help educate our elected officials as to how they can keep our sector strong,” Kennedy said. “Summits like this one help us convey our message to them and it feels good to know our voices have been heard.”