Basic Skills III: NJBIA’s Innovative Skills Training Program Enters its Third Year—Basic skills training for employees at no charge to your company Read
Employoment Watch: Turning Point?
NJ’s 17-Month Employment Slide Reverses in July With Addition of 13,000 Private-Sector Jobs Read

The third year of NJBIA’s Basic Skills Training Program is shaping up to be the most successful yet. Hundreds of small businesses have already signed up to improve their employees’ skills in computer operations, communications, mathematics, and English as a second language thanks to a $1 million State training grant.

The program is a partnership of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), the State’s community colleges, and the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. It extends the State’s training resources to thousands of small businesses that, in the past, have been unable to participate.

“This is the third year we have partnered with the State and the community colleges on this outstanding program, which has been very popular with our members,” NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said. “Employers get better employees, employees get better skills, and the State gets a better trained workforce. It’s a win for everyone involved.”

The Basic Skills training program is available free of charge to participating companies and does not require that they complete any complicated paperwork or make financial disclosures. They can enter one employee into the program or a large group of employees. However, employers must pay their employees at their regular hourly rate while in training.

Training is available in basic computer operations (Microsoft), mathematics and measurement, verbal and written communications, and English as a second language. It is provided by the State’s 19 community colleges at various locations throughout the State or on-site.

The NJ Community College Consortium (NJCCC) coordinates the training. Many of the classes are pooled so that small numbers of employees from several different companies can meet minimum class-size requirements.

“Businesses have responded to the third year of this program with enthusiasm. In the first six weeks of Basic Skills III, over 200 classes have been scheduled,” said Dr. Joann LaPerla Morales, president of Middlesex County College and Consortium chairperson. “The county colleges are delighted that Labor Commissioner David Socolow and the Corzine administration have made worker training a high priority.”

In the first six weeks of the program’s third year, which got underway July 14, 275 classes with a tuition value of $418,000 have been scheduled for businesses in nine counties. That’s on top of the 10,250 employees that were trained at 800 companies in the program’s first two years (July 2007-June 2009). (You must provide your FEIN, along with your address, both of which are reported to the State. Your company must be in tax compliance.)

Call 609-393-9009 to get started or visit
www.njbia.org/resources/training for details.

Beginning this school year, New Jersey high school students will face tougher curriculum standards as part of an effort to better prepare them for future employment.

The NJ State Board of Education has adopted a new high school curriculum that requires more rigorous coursework in math and science, better assessments of student learning and more flexibility in preparing for careers after graduation. NJBIA strongly supports the new curriculum requirements.

NJBIA has long argued that New Jersey needs to demand more from all students in order to better prepare them for the future. The new curriculum addresses these concerns by imposing higher standards in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as business skills and economics/financial literacy.

Survey research by NJBIA and its public policy research affiliate, NJPRO, finds that the availability of skilled labor is a top-ranked concern among businesses. The research also found that only one-third of employers are satisfied with high school graduates’ readiness for entry-level jobs and less than one-third are satisfied with employee’s verbal and written communication skills, math and science skills, and critical thinking skills.

For details, contact

Legislation that would incorporate “green building” requirements into New Jersey’s Uniform Construction Code was signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine on August 6.

The law requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to develop an energy building subcode for the State based on existing federal models.

Before passing the bill, S-702 (Smith)/A-1629 (McKeon, Chivukula), the Legislature adopted NJBIA-backed amendments to link New Jersey’s requirements to a national construction code, thus avoiding costly regulations unique to New Jersey.

Green building techniques reduce a building’s impact on the environment through energy conservation and other measures.

Businesses that undertake already expensive energy efficiency or renewable energy projects will be forced to pay higher union-scale prevailing wages to contractors under a new law approved by Governor Jon Corzine on July 15.

Specifically, the new law applies to any project receiving more than $11,892 in financial assistance from the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). The assistance could include rebates, tax abatements or loans. Projects ranging from replacement of heating and cooling equipment to the installation of solar panels are covered.

NJBIA strongly opposed the bill, A-3372 (Barnes, Diegnan)/S-2340 (Sweeney, Buono), because it unnecessarily increases the cost of energy conservation and renewable energy projects promoted by the State. According to the Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association, the prevailing wage adds 25 percent to labor costs for installing a solar-energy system.

The higher labor costs imposed by this law often outweigh the benefits of many of the State-sponsored rebates and tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. This ensures that fewer companies will undertake such expensive projects in these tough economic times. For more information, contact

Snow and ice must be removed from all vehicles before they can be driven on the State’s roadways, under a bill approved by the Legislature in June.

S-520 (Sacco, Gordon)/ A-1718 (Munoz, Prieto) would impose fines of $25 to $75 for each violation, regardless of whether any snow or ice is dislodged from the vehicle while it’s moving.

The bill’s requirements do not apply to snow or ice that accumulates on a vehicle during a storm that began and continued for the duration of the motor vehicle’s operation.

An attentive group of 55 NJBIA members recently learned how the State’s stimulus efforts can help their companies weather the economic crisis through loans, grants, incentives and tax abatements.

The occasion was a recent meeting of NJBIA’s Economic Development Council, which provides guidance to State lawmakers and identifies economic development programs of use to Association members.

State Senator Raymond Lesniak and NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) CEO Caren Franzini presented details on numerous State programs and regulatory changes designed to encourage business expansion and protect private-sector employment.

Council members also heard a report on the Smart Growth Economic Development Coalition from Ted Zangari of Sills Cummis & Gross; received an update on eminent domain issues from Anthony Pizzutillo of Smith Pizzutillo LLC; and were briefed on the Workforce Housing Conversion Law by Timothy Touhey of the New Jersey Builders Association.

Lesniak, who is chairman of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, discussed a bill he sponsored—The New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009—which provides tax and fee reductions and financial incentives to stimulate large-scale, private-sector economic development projects. Corzine signed the law July 28. Among other provisions, it:

• establishes a moratorium on the collection of the 2.5 percent nonresidential development fee by the NJ Council on Affordable Housing (COAH);
• creates a new tax increment financing program to provide rebates for some of the taxes generated by a development project;
• expands from $10 million to $15 million the lifetime cap on net operating losses available to businesses that participate in the Technology Business Tax Certificate Transfer program;
• reforms the Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit (UTHTC) program to make it easier for businesses to qualify; and
• allows public-private investment partnerships to build facilities at the State’s colleges and universities.

“With the passage of this legislation, we will be able to update the message on the base of the Statue of Liberty to read: ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your hungry, your yearning to go back to work,’” Lesniak said.

Franzini said that in addition to numerous stimulus programs already underway, the NJEDA is launching two new programs to promote renewable energy projects under the banner of NJ Clean Energy Solutions.

First, the EDA will provide $60 million in grants to businesses to create in-house electricity generation, also known as combined-heat-and-power projects. Grants will be issued in amounts equal to $450 per kilowatt hour. Second, the EDA will distribute $15 million in federal economic stimulus funds to businesses developing innovative clean-energy and energy-efficiency technologies.

The goal is to create more “green collar” jobs through the development of new energy technologies, Franzini said.

If you are interested in joining NJBIA’s Economic Development Council, please contact

One hundred and sixty golfers and 12 tennis players competed for trophies and prizes in NJBIA’s 39th Annual Golf and Tennis Day on July 14 at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township and the East Brunswick Racquet Club. Many more attended the afternoon reception and luncheon.

Playing in the new scramble format, the team of Tom Miskewitz, Kurt Maas, Rich Lott, and Lee Ehly, all of Champion Container Corporation won first place with a 60 on the Banks Course. The team of James and Marilyn Stenger of NAS Financial and John Bryer captured first place on the Palmer Course with a team score of 61.

In the tennis tournament, the team of Joe Ford of American Asphalt Company and Steve LaPoint of General Pallet won first place in the round-robin doubles competition.

After losing more than 160,000 jobs in the previous 17 months, the State’s private-sector employers surprised economists by adding 13,000 jobs in July. The State’s unemployment rate continued to rise, however, inching up a tenth of a percentage point to 9.3 percent, the highest level in more than 32 years.

NJBIA President Philip Kirschner cautioned against reading too much into one month of data. Although the positive numbers may give rise to hope that the recession has ended, he said, it’s too early to declare victory over the downturn.

“Given continuing job losses in the rest of the nation, this report came as a surprise,” Kirschner said. “Hopefully, it marks a turning point. The next few months will be telling.”

In his monthly employment report for the month of July, State Labor Commissioner David Socolow said he was pleased that the State economy was “trending in the right direction,” but he stopped short of declaring an end to the recession.

Employment gains were seen in every major industry sector, including construction, manufacturing and private-sector services. The job increase followed two months of moderating losses and was accompanied by other positive economic news from the region.

Construction employment rose by 3,400 in July, a gain of 2.4 percent from a recession low of 140,900 jobs in June.

The State’s manufacturing industry added 3,100 jobs in July, following a gain of 1,400 jobs in June. The two-month increase of 4,500 represents a 1.7 percent jump over that sector’s recession low of 271,400 jobs, set in April.

The service sector joined in with an employment gain of 6,500, up 1.1 percent from a low of 2,864,400 in June.

Private-sector employment grew by 13,000 jobs in July, up 0.4 percent from a recession low of 3,279,800 jobs in June.

Meanwhile, the public sector, which encompasses all government jobs (local, State and federal), fell by 7,100 jobs in July, bringing total employment in that sector to 643,300, its lowest level since the start of the recession in February 2008.

Employment gains in the private sector, when combined with losses in the government sector, resulted in an overall increase in Statewide employment of 5,900 jobs, a fractional gain.

Friday, October 2
Hot Legal Topics for Employers
• Location: Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp. (Exit 8A, NJ Turnpike)
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Cost: $129 pp for NJBIA members / $169 for nonmembers
• Contact: Katie Wittkamp, ext. 239
This program will provide you with the latest information on the most current legal issues affecting your business. Legal experts will discuss a broad range of topics, including hiring and firing, developing and updating employee handbooks, and avoiding liability in discrimination cases.

Friday, October 9
Meet the Decision Makers: Environmental Policy & Regulation
• Location: Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Twp. (Exit 8A, NJ Turnpike)
• Time: 7:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Cost: $75 pp for NJBIA members / $125 for nonmembers
• Contact: Katie Wittkamp, ext. 239
At this breakfast, you will hear from NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Mark Mauriello and the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Environmental Committees on environmental issues directly affecting your business, including air, water and land-use permitting, regulatory compliance, development restrictions, and new environmental legislation. Plenty of time will be set aside to network with your colleagues and have your questions answered.

Tuesday, October 20
Awards for Excellence Dinner
• Location: The Pines Manor, Edison (Route 27)
• Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
• Cost: $149 pp (Tables of 10 are available.)
• Contact: Stacy Wichner, ext. 213
NJBIA member companies that have achieved excellence in business expansion, human resources management, environmental quality, and public service will receive NJBIA’s Award for Excellence at this dinner. Established in 1984, the Awards for Excellence program recognizes companies of every size.

Friday, November 13
Health Insurance:
How To Get the Best Deal
• Location: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin (Route 1 South)
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Cost: $129 pp for NJBIA members / $169 for nonmembers
• Contact: Katie Wittkamp, ext. 239
At this half-day seminar, let industry professionals show you how to purchase quality coverage at the most competitive rates. You will learn about the benefit options that are available to your company and about the cost-saving trends in health insurance. You will also learn about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs), and State and federal laws concerning health insurance that affect your business. Come with your questions!

Friday, November 20
Navigating NJ Paid Family Leave
• Location: Wilshire Grand Hotel, West Orange
• Time: 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Cost: $129 pp for NJBIA members / $169 for nonmembers
• Contact: Katie Wittkamp, ext. 239
All New Jersey employers, even those with only one employee, must comply with the State’s new Paid Family Leave Act. Your employees are now entitled to take six weeks of paid family leave each year to care for the birth or adoption of a child or to deal with a family member’s “serious health condition.” At this briefing, top legal experts will present information about the law, including: when an employee is eligible to take paid leave, your obligations as an employer, and how to make sure your workplace is in compliance. It’s not too late to get up-to-date information on what you need to do to protect yourself and your business!

SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, December 8
Public Policy Forum
Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin
Save the date for this high-level conference which will bring together New Jersey’s top leaders in business and government for a lively discussion of current topics such as healthcare, taxes, energy and the environment!
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NJBIA’s many events and programs are made possible in part through the financial support of our Premier and Grand sponsors.  NJBIA extends its deepest appreciation for the generosity and support of these members.

Premier Sponsors
NJM Insurance Group
www.njm.com  •  1-800-232-6600

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
www.panynj.gov  •  212-435-7000

Grand Sponsors
Connell Foley LLP  •  973-535-0500
Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NJ  •  1-800-355-2583
NJ Credit Union League  •  1-800-792-8861
South Jersey Industries  •  609-561-9000
United Water  •  201-767-9300 
Verizon •  1-800-837-4966