By: centraljersey.com
BRIDGEWATER – The collaborative effort initiated by the Somerset County Business Partnership at the request of the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders now is beginning to show positive results, officials said.
In March, the Partnership was asked by the freeholders to lead a collaborative effort that would change the culture of workforce delivery in Somerset County. Insights from the business community relative to workforce delivery needs were identified in the freeholder-supported Long-Term Economic Development Plan for Emerging Industries.
The Partnership has engaged the Greater Raritan Workforce Investment Board, which serves Somerset and Hunterdon counties, as a partner in workforce delivery reforms. The initial focus of the collaborative effort has been to assist displaced workers in developing skills that will allow them to re-enter the workforce. To date, this model for collaboration has resulted in numerous stories of success:
A30-year-old male on public assistance participated in the Community Work Employment Program, honing existing computer skills to a point where he became employed in a car dealership, utilizing his Internet and database skills. He ultimately earned a partnership in a new Internet venture begun by his employer.
A50-year-old local resident was focused on a medical coding and billing career. Discussions with WIB representatives altered her direction to maximization of her accounting skills. Upon completion of county college courses, she began a successful career in computerized accounting.
A60-year-old displaced worker, formerly in the travel industry, attended the Greater Raritan One Stop Career Center for direction on career advancement opportunities. Upon completion of courses to improve accounting and office management skills, this individual re-entered the travel field at a higher level than that which she had left.
Over the past nine months, the Business Partnership has worked to instill a "culture of collaboration" within Somerset County. This collaborative workforce preparedness initiative involves Raritan Valley Community College, the Workforce Investment Board and United Way of Somerset County, working together to ensure that workforce delivery systems in Somerset County are fulfilling the needs of employers.
"Workforce delivery resources have long been a critical component of overall economic development efforts," said Mike Kerwin, president and CEO of the Business Partnership. "The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders are to be commended for their leadership in documenting the needs of business and in recognizing a need to change the culture of how we deliver workforce preparedness and training resources."
He added, "Somerset County is fortunate to have a number of organizations truly committed and capable of serving the needs of employers. The Partnership seeks to build on those interests, helping all of our collaborative partners to work in the same direction, creating efficiencies and eliminating duplication. With the issuance of Emerging Industries report, we were obligated to review workforce preparedness initiatives and we discovered that there was a significant duplication of services."
The ultimate goal of the collaborative effort is to implement a comprehensive business plan that will bring together all available resources to provide an educated, industry-based workforce to enable retention and attraction of business while nurturing emerging industries.
An additional focus of this effort is directed at displaced workers with scientific and technical backgrounds. The Entrepreneurial Training for Displaced Workers with Scientific and Technical Business Interests program will target workers displaced from the pharmaceutical, telecommunications, software, medical device and life sciences companies in Somerset County and will lead to the formation of new business enterprises that will provide employment opportunities and economic investment.
The program will provide support to displaced workers who have the capacity to engage in technical and scientific business endeavors but lack the necessary knowledge and skills that will lead to commercialization of new technologies.
The collaboration also will focus on preparing Somerset County’s workforce for the Emerging Industries that are projected to be the next economic growth areas for the region.
These areas of growth are:
– Nanotech/Biotech – Manipulation of bio-particles at the nanoscale.
– Bio-related information technology – Application of information technology to the biotech industry.
– Geospatial technology – Includes all aspects of Geographic Information Systems.
"Our goal is to deliver a comprehensive program leading to the establishment and funding of entrepreneurial companies engaged in the commercialization of technologies, therapies, software and medical devices that support tomorrow’s growth industries," said John Maddocks, of the Business Partnership.
For information, contact Mr. Maddocks at 908-218-4300 or [email protected].

