North Jersey Partners is an innovative regional partnership of public, private, and government organizations collaborating to deliver programs, training, and support to ensure the continuity of a skilled workforce to drive economic growth in northern New Jersey.

Facts About Us

• Launched by an initial investment of $5.1 million provided by the U.S. Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative. The lead agency in implementing the grant is Newark Alliance.


• Mission is to align and connect regional institutions and organizations to ensure that people and industries become - and remain - more competitive, inventive, and innovative.


• Committed to link and leverage people, educational institutions, organizations, and businesses to share ideas, design programs, support existing projects, and leverage assets to handle workforce issues like recruitment, retention, and retraining


• Focus on four industry clusters that have the greatest economic impact on our region:
  • Transportation, Logistics and Distribution
  • Health Care and Life Sciences
  • Entertainment, Art and Retail
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development


• Support programs and partnerships that fill the gaps in training and educational programs to address qualification issues and labor shortages


• Encourage use of online learning to expand the way in which 21st Century training and education are conducted


• Facilitate the growth of small business development and entrepreneurship by supporting programs and projects that provide tools and knowledge for success

Facts About the North Jersey Partners Region

• Comprises eight counties in northern New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, and Warren


• Seven Workforce Investment Boards and One Stop Career Centers


• An attractive, diverse region of more than 4 million people including some of the richest and poorest communities in New Jersey
  • 28% = households making over $100,000 per year
  • 9% = households making under $35,000 per year


• Hosts over half of New Jersey's private sector jobs


• Boasts a 1.5 million-strong workforce that is the most skilled and educated in the nation


• Home to Port Newark and Elizabeth Main Terminal that sends goods and materials to 65% of North America, and combined, is the largest port on the East Coast


• Lost over 19,000 jobs in Manufacturing and Information Technology over the last 5 years


• Undergoing a labor shortage of qualified workers for Allied Health Care professions and for the Transportation, Logistics and Distribution industries


• Experiencing a revitalization of its largest cities - Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, and Paterson - through cultural venues, retail, arts, hospitality, and entertainment


• Embraces a competitive and highly regarded higher education system that supports workforce development through a variety of learning methodologies and delivery systems


• Expects little net job growth in 2009 but Education, Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality businesses continue to generate employment opportunities