SJBiz_NJMEP_Profile_4_25_EVERGREEN_Profile 4 / 3 / 25 11 : 09 AM Page 1 PROMOTION profile up - close sessions and education . Reaching the future workforce is a critical mission for NJMEP . Its dedication to cultivat - ing student interest led to hands - on , interac - EstablishingSTRUCTURE tive outreach programs like the Future Makers & Creators Tour that runs in partnership with NJMEP provides expertise for small and medium - the NJEDA , which includes local industry sized manufacturing businesses while investing in leaders making themselves available and pro - both industry professionals and the future . viding students with access to industry edu - cation and opportunities they might otherwise BY CARLY MURRAY not have . “ We have this new , beautiful , 38 - foot RV compile that information , and ensure that we onnecting with the New Jersey Man - decked out as a hands - on training classroom are keeping up with the changes and trends ufacturing Extension Program ( NJMEP ) that we take to schools like the Scholastic Book that we're seeing on the ground floor . We are C means benefiting from its team’s vast Fair , to show advanced manufacturing tech - on the front lines when it comes to both of experience in the likes of working with a vari - nologies . Instead of books , we show them how those . ” ety of manufacturing businesses and also all of this education can turn into a viable ca - Such an in - depth , multifactorial analysis of supplying strategies shaped by personalized reer path . We're getting local manufacturers the manufacturing industry ensures method - partnerships . actually on - site at those schools to show the stu - ology that reaches beyond the surface . NJMEP NJMEP’s customized consulting services dents what they make , ” says Womack . “ There's combines an impartial perspective with pas - are designed to advocate for each business ’ so many ways to engage , beyond just the con - sionate experts to best support each business unique path to success while focusing on those sultative and training programs that these man - it works with and the employees within it . The clients ’ core areas and principles . ufacturers have access to just because of our impact of these actionable strategies is mea - “ We're held accountable by our results , ” existence . ” says Michael Womack , director of mar - NJMEP has partnered with schools keting and communications at NJMEP . in almost every New Jersey county so “ Consulting sometimes has a conno - that the next generation can receive tation to it [ in which ] clients are given the training , certifications , machinery knowl - information that they need , walk away edge , employment opportunities and and hope they get done what they need more . Never forgetting to account for to get done — we're a little different . The industry changes , NJMEP also recog - National Institute of Standards and nizes the importance of longevity Technology ( NIST ) works with us to regardless of innovation . help offset some of our overhead so we “ We're watching automation and can give small - to medium - sized man - people work together . With AI , there ufacturers access to affordable con - needs to be a human there to make the sulting projects that normally wouldn't programs and software run , and to tell be obtainable if they go elsewhere . ” the robot what to do and how , ” says That accountability measure is sub - Womack . “ That human element is in - stantiated by surveying clients through herent . The doomsday articles of 2010 saying sured and proven by its ability to level the play - an independent organization that measures ‘ automation is coming to take your jobs ’ nev - ing field for small and medium enterprises to success in both retaining and increasing sales , er panned out to be true . If anything , it's cre - keep up with larger competition . Due to its dis - saving costs and employees , and creating jobs . ated more jobs . ” tinction as a training and consulting provider NJMEP has an inherent interest in the com - Through expertise , education , advocacy and not an association , NJMEP addresses any panies it consults : Its existence relies upon high and humanity , NJMEP tirelessly works to sup - cost barriers that businesses may face else - customer satisfaction , so its approach focuses port the new jobs that innovation creates while where through its partnership with NIST and on actionable strategies rather than just offering maintaining engagement and growth for the the state . advice . industry’s seasoned professionals . Each client “ You don’t have a monthly fee for just hav - “ We can't take a one - size - fits all approach . working with the organization receives the es - ing a relationship with us . You can reach out at We rely on our internal team to ensure that sential support necessary to compete and the any time , and we host networking events all we're keeping up with the industry . We have w tools for prolonged success . over the state . Our core business is for - fee con - an advocacy department that works directly sulting and training but another benefit of that with the state and federal governments , so we state and federal support that we receive , is we stay akin to the biggest changes . We work can do these extra things besides just worry - closely with our partners — NJBIA ( New Jersey ing about making as much money as we can Business & Industry Association ) , the Chamber off a single client , ” Womack says . of Commerce of Southern New Jersey , the New With such high stakes and standards , Jersey Chamber of Commerce — to ensure that NJMEP always looks ahead while simultane - the manufacturers ' voices are heard , ” Womack ously considering the past and present . That explains . NJMEP dual perspective has inspired a number of pro - “ The fact that we have all of those eyes South Jersey : Bellmawr grams , including its annual ‘ MADE in New Jer - looking for the state and federal changes , reg - North Jersey : Cedar Knolls sey ’ Manufacturing Day spotlighting oppor - ulations and rules , allows NJMEP to pay at - tunities within the manufacturing industry with tention to what's happening in the industry , ( 973 ) 998 - 9801 | NJMEP.org SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 15 ISSUE 4 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 9