Legislators Discuss Workforce Funding at Business Breakfast

During a “Breakfast Chat with Legislators” event held Thursday, April 3 at Adelphia’s in Deptford, NJ, area business leaders had the opportunity to pose questions to state legislators. Chief among those questions were workforce development issues facing the region and state.

“We need training to develop new skillsets for the new jobs being developed in the region. There needs to be apprenticeships for people who don’t go to college. There are a ton of incentives out there to help with workforce development training but the challenge is where do you go to find out about it,” said CEO and President of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce Les Vail at the opening of the session.

Legislators advised the audience that the Department of Labor website is a valuable resource to learn and apply for incentive programs. Many also said they need to hear from the business and academic community to help them both understand what needs exist and what programs to develop to meet these challenges.

“I think there’s a limit to what can be legislated. But I’ve got to depend on teachers and administrators to learn what works in the schools,” said NJ State Rep. William Spearman (D) 5th Legislative District.

“It comes down to labor and business. How do we enhance the skillsets? Who needs a lift up and opportunities and how do we give the business industry more skilled workers,” added State Senator Fred Madden Jr. (D) 4th Legislative District.

Funding public education was also on the minds of the audience members, as the state grapples with cuts and increases to districts based on population fluctuations.

Madden said while many districts are seeing cuts in aid, others are seeing increases, all because of changes in student population. The legislator said the state needs to take a gradual approach towards these adjustments in order to allow each district to adjust properly to cuts or increases.

“It’s not a program as much as it is a mindset. There’s going to be winners and losers. So, this is not going to be solved overnight,” he added.

While workforce development and education were primary subjects, audience members wanted updates on a range of issues; from the status of legalized marijuana, the progress on light rail from Glassboro through Camden and what the legislators are doing about the infant mortality in the state.

Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera, (D) 4th Legislative District reported the state is working diligently on reducing the infant mortality rate in the state. In New Jersey, for every 100,000 live births there were 37.3 pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. That is almost double the national average of 19.9. The state is ranked 47th out of 50 states in maternal deaths.

Legislators passed 14 bills that the administration is currently reviewing. In citing this work, Mosquera made a direct plea to the audience to help improve these statistics by asking for feedback on these bills.

Legalizing marijuana does not have the votes and no legislator on the dais gave a date as to when it would come up for another vote. The same was true with progress on the light rail. Madden told the audience there are no conversations going on right now about the prospect of the light rail plan.

Chris Painter, owner of Astro Sign Company and Outdoor Advertising attended the breakfast and said he was glad to hear directly from the legislators.

“It was a one-on-one opportunity, which is the only time I’m aware of where or when you can get this,” he said.

Vail said after the breakfast that he was pleased to hear so many questions about education and workforce development, as it is important the legislators hear directly from businesses about what they need.

“We have to make sure we continue to get the cooperation we need from our elected officials. The one thing our members consistently worry about is finding and keeping well-trained workers. I’m glad our guests were able to voice their concerns directly,” he said.