NJMEP Launches Program to Connect Hiring Manufacturing Companies with Young Adult Job Seekers

The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program Inc. (NJMEP) announced Wednesday the launch of its no-cost Experience Manufacturing Program, which will assist in connecting hiring manufacturing companies with young adult job seekers in New Jersey.

The NJMEP will be sending submission forms to college, vocational and high school students across the state Wednesday, having already reached out to leadership and mentoring programs, private institutions, scouts and STEM.

Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old, have reliable transportation and express interest in the manufacturing industry.

Paid summer apprenticeships start at $10/hr—with some companies offering to pay between $14 and $20 dollars per hour. Companies are also offering the flexibility to continue working while taking classes after summer’s end.

“Having worked with over 1,800 manufacturers in New Jersey, the NJMEP saw a need from our growing clients looking to hire people that would potentially grow with their companies,” said Matt Paknis, chief development officer, in Wednesday’s press release. “When we heard that the majority of New Jersey students ages 18 to 20 were not working this summer, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to address that need.”

According to the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, less than one-third of U.S. parents encourage their kids to enter the manufacturing industry and less than 20 percent of people view manufacturing as a top career choice.

“People think manufacturing is just working with machinery—which can actually be exciting—but it’s also marketing, accounting, business support and more,” Paknis said.

In addition, manufacturing workers make an average salary of $77,000 with the best job security in the private sector.

“The talent shortage in the manufacturing field is a serious issue right now,” Paknis said. “By exposing N.J. youth to the diverse career opportunities and high-paying jobs in the industry, we can cultivate the next generation of manufacturing workers.”

Since 2000, the NJMEP has helped New Jersey manufacturers realize more than $2.58 billion in added value: that includes $1.8 billion in sales; $285 million in cost savings; and $354 million in upgrades and investments. The NJMEP has also helped to create or retain more than 20,000 manufacturing jobs.

As a not-for-profit consulting company, the NJMEP helps small to mid-sized New Jersey manufacturers become more profitable and competitive by providing development, networking and productivity solutions for companies. In addition, it has an online directory of manufacturers and products for consumer and supplier access. The program is free to join for any New Jersey-based manufacturers.

For more information regarding NJMEP’s Experience Manufacturing Program, click here.

Click here to read the original article published in NJBIZ.