“We are excited to work with the state of New Jersey on the Future of Work Accelerator to support a diverse group of innovators that can collectively advance economic security in the region,” said Alexa Clay, RSA US Director. “Through our work together, we aim to enable Accelerator participants to take their place in a movement that is building a new ‘system’ for modern economic security--a blueprint for the future of work in New Jersey and an inspiration to other places wrestling with the challenges of automation, skills training, worker power, and inclusion.”
“The Workers Lab is proud to support the New Jersey Office of Innovation's Future of Work Accelerator, said Adrian Haro, Chief Executive Officer of The Workers Lab. “As an organization that gives new ideas for workers a chance to succeed, The Workers Lab is eager to see the Accelerator invest in organizations with innovative ideas that improve job quality, increase economic security, and uplift the voice of workers.
The New Jersey Future of Work Accelerator builds upon RSA’s 2019 Economic Security Impact Accelerator that supported individuals advancing good work, inclusive growth, and the overall economic security of the UK’s workers.
Through the Future of Work Accelerator, participants will receive custom coaching, curated connections to national experts, and introductions to funders and peers, as well as having the opportunity to pilot worker-centric programs and practices in New Jersey.
The Accelerator is open to startups, entrepreneurs, non-profits, public sector institutions and employees, unions, and grassroots organizations interested in promoting innovative solutions.
The Future of Work Accelerator will focus on innovations that address the following themes:
- Improving employment opportunities for workers via lifelong learning and re-skilling initiatives, improved career and/or training guidance, or other such innovations.
- Offering greater economic security and resilience through financial innovations like portable benefits solutions, crowdfunding initiatives, etc.
- Strengthening worker voice, ownership, and power.
- Enhancing employer practices (e.g., workplace safety innovations, hazard pay, portable benefits, hiring and recruitment technology)
- Improving job opportunities, inclusion, and financial support systems for disadvantaged groups or demographics (e.g. day laborers, immigrants, the elderly, rural workers, misclassified workers in the gig economy, minorities, etc.)
More detailed information is available on the New Jersey Future of Work Accelerator website.