- 3D printers
- Robotic arms
- HAAS PLC-powered CNC mills
- Augmented reality ARC welding equipment
- Laser engraving machines
This state-of-the-art Mobile Training Center recently made its debut at the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, where NJMEP’s Workforce Development team engaged with the community, showcasing advanced manufacturing technologies and shared career pathways in the industry.
Attendees included children, parents and legislators like U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th Dist.), Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R-Sparta) and even Frankford Township Mayor David Silverthorne and Sussex County Commissioner Chris Carney participated in interactive demonstrations and met local manufacturers, experiencing firsthand and gaining insights into the diverse opportunities within modern manufacturing.
The next stop will be the State House in Trenton, to show the New Jersey Legislature how their support is providing access to critical career advancement to every corner of the state.
“As advanced manufacturing continues to grow in our state, we’re dedicated to upskilling our talent while making training and career opportunities more accessible to all communities here in New Jersey,” NJBAC’s executive director, Melanie Willoughby, said. “This investment will foster talent attraction, boost career development and encourage business partnerships throughout our 21 counties, further driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life within the Garden State.”
“This Mobile Training Center was one of the first real investments I wanted to make when I came on board with NJMEP,” Peter Connolly, CEO of NJMEP, said. “When I was joining the team and held the role of COO, I heard two recurring challenges; Transportation issues holding manufacturers back from investing in professional development training for their teams, and the need to engage K-12 students to show them, their parents and school counselors that manufacturing was a viable career path. Employing this Mobile Training Center will solve both those challenges. We can deliver training to any community, any manufacturer, and utilize the Mobile Training Center as a modular classroom or hands-on training center. We can take the training facility to nearly anywhere in the state. Also, we will incorporate the Training Center in the Future Makers and Creators Tour locations we are hosting with the support of the NJEDA.”
This initiative is aimed to inspire interest in manufacturing careers and make advanced training accessible to all.
In September, the NJMEP Mobile Training Center is headed to more schools throughout New Jersey as part of the Future Makers and Creators Tour — a program that educates young New Jerseyans on the career opportunities and local manufacturers that are hiring in their area.