Sandra Gilot-West, chief of staff for the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, said on May 6 that a projected 68% of jobs in New Jersey will require some level of postsecondary education or training by 2031. Gilot-West made these remarks at the 2026 Workforce Summit, which was presented by Focus NJ and the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
The summit addressed the importance of closer alignment between higher education institutions and employers to meet changing workforce demands. “Higher education is being asked to be more responsive, more connected, and more outcomes-driven,” Gilot-West said. “This underscores the partnership we need to have between higher education and industry to prepare the next generation of talent and to continue to provide upskilling opportunities to the current workforce.”
Gilot-West also spoke about state programs designed to support this goal, including the New Jersey Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program. She said this program provides grants for employers in New Jersey so they can offer paid, hands-on training opportunities for students and recent graduates.
The New Jersey Business and Industry Association serves as the nation’s largest statewide employer association, representing private-sector employers across various sectors throughout New Jersey. The organization advances competitive excellence and financial success among its members while facilitating partnerships among businesses, government entities, and academic institutions. It also offers advocacy services, practical information, cost-saving benefits, and essential resources for business prosperity according to the official website.
Broader implications from this summit suggest ongoing efforts are needed from both educational institutions and industry leaders in order to ensure that future workforce needs are met as job requirements evolve.