TRENTON, November 14, 2008 –New Jersey’s economic, business, labor unions, education, government and faith- and community-based leaders will convene at a Governor’s Workforce and Economic Development Conference to be held December 2^nd and 3^rd, 2008 at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City.    The forum will focus on discussions that explore how workforce and economic growth initiatives can position the state to emerge from the national economic crisis poised for economic growth. 

 “As our state and nation deal with this complex economic crisis, we must focus on how to keep New Jersey moving forward and prepare for renewed economic growth,” said Governor Corzine. “Working in partnership, the business, labor, workforce and economic development communities, educators, legislators, and faith- and community-based organizations of our state can develop and implement strategies to effectively meet the demands of the 21^st century economy.”

Participants at the Governor’s conference will take part in dynamic, interactive sessions covering topics such as: the future of employment in New Jersey’s financial services industry; transition strategies for dislocated workers; information technology jobs in New Jersey; incentives for businesses to create jobs and grow in the Garden State; apprenticeship models for careers in the life sciences; and green jobs tied to the Governor’s new Energy Master Plan.

“Governor Corzine has introduced his economic assistance and recovery plan to stimulate growth in our economy. This timely conference offers information and ideas to put New Jersey on the right track to emerge from this national economic downturn”, said Jerold L. Zaro, Chief, Office of Economic Growth.  “We are confident that we can build on and strengthen New Jersey’s innovative advantages to maintain a competitive edge and help our businesses succeed during difficult times like these.”

Commissioner David J. Socolow of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, said, “In the present economic climate, participants will gain extremely valuable information from this conference which will help businesses, workers, community and workforce development organizations. We will hear from top recognized authorities to address what industry representatives, labor unions, faith- and community-based organizations, and workers have been telling us are the key issues to maintaining and developing New Jersey’s competitive workforce.”

“This conference will give us the opportunity to provide more details on the Governor’s comprehensive economic stimulus package to improve the business climate and help companies hard-hit by our national economic crisis,” said New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chief Executive Officer Caren Franzini.  “These state efforts include major business-focused initiatives to ease the tightened credit market and offer new job-creation incentives.”

Registration for the conference is now open. The conference registration starts at noon on Monday, December 1st , the conference will run through 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday the 3^rd. 

For more information on the 2008 Governor’s Workforce Conference on Workforce and Economic Development, go to www.nj.gov/labor and click on the conference banner at the top of the page; e-mail your questions to GovConference2008@dol.state.nj.us; or call (609) 984-8190.

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