Small and medium-sized businesses throughout New Jersey are now eligible to obtain training to enhance the basic skills of their employees in computers, communications skills and math, under a new public-private sector partnership. The program represents a ground-breaking effort to allow small businesses to take advantage of State workforce training. Until now, many small companies could not meet the requirements to participate in New Jersey’s workforce training programs.

The program is a partnership between NJBIA, the New Jersey College Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development, which will conduct the training, and the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development, which has provided $1.88 million in funding. Entitled the Basic Skills Workforce Training Program, participating businesses will be able to enroll employees for training in computer applications (Windows, Word, Excel and Outlook), communications (written and verbal), English as a second language, and mathematics and measurement.

There is no charge for the training, but businesses will be required to pay employees their usual hourly rate while they are attending training courses. Participating businesses will not have to fill out any paperwork or disclose their company’s finances. There is also no requirement for a minimum number of employees to participate. The county college consortium will work with employers to determine the most convenient time and location for all training courses. Training can be conducted at county college locations across the State or at a company site if arrangements can be made.

"We're really excited to be able to offer this program to our members because, over the years, many of them have told us their employees would be more successful and productive at their jobs if they had a better command of basic skills in core competency areas," said NJBIA President Philip Kirschner.

NJBIA initiated the program in response to a finding in its 2007 NJBIA Business Outlook Survey that many New Jersey employers are unhappy with the basic skills that entry-level employees bring to their jobs. Already, more than 300 businesses have expressed an interest in the program.

The program began July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2008. For more information, contact NJBIA's at 609-393-7707, ext. 201. NJBIA also offers a free needs assessment survey to help businesses determine the skills training needs for their workforce. Employers can also contact the county college consortium staff at 609-393-9009.

Bill Criminalizing Misclassification of Contractors Signed - Legislation that could land employers in prison for as long as 10 years if they knowingly misclassify an independent contractor was signed into law July 13 by Governor Jon Corzine. The law (P.L.2007, c.114) only applies to employers who are construction contractors. The law makes the misclassification a second-degree crime if it involves a contract valued at more than $75,000, a third degree crime for contracts between $2,500 and $75,000, and a fourth-degree crime for contracts under $2,500.

The law also puts the burden on employers to prove that they do not have an employer-employee relationship subject to New Jersey's employment laws. NJBIA opposed this measure. While the Association believes that intentionally misclassifying workers hurts both reputable employers and employees alike, NJBIA believes such violations should be punished with civil penalties. Hitting contractors with the same criminal penalties as some violent offenses goes too far. For more information, contact at ext. 209.

Pay-to-Play Reporting Deadline for Government Contractors is Sept. 28 - Any business that had at least $50,000 worth of State or local government contracts in 2006 must file a political contribution disclosure statement with New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) by September 28, under new regulations taking effect this year. The 2006 annual disclosure report must be filed electronically on ELEC's Web site. Your business may be subject to large fines and penalties for failure to comply.

This disclosure requirement is one of the broadest government reporting requirements ever adopted in New Jersey. It covers not just contributions the business owner makes, but also all of the business’s principals, partners, officers, and directors, as well as their spouses. The rules apply regardless of whether or not the contracts were competitively bid or negotiated. Nonprofit organizations must also comply. Disclosures must be filed even if there are no campaign contributions to report. For more information, contact at ext. 209.

NJBIA Hosting Seminar on Complying with Pay-to-Play Rules, Sept. 18 - Is your business ready to comply with the new rules on pay-to-play disclosures? If not, sign up now for NJBIA's Is Your Business Ready to Comply with Pay-to-Play Disclosure? seminar to be held 8:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, September 18, at the Pines Manor, Route 27 in Edison. If you have $50,000 or more in government contracts, you are required to file a detailed disclosure of all campaign contributions made by you, your business and your key employees. The clock is ticking as all disclosures must be filed by September 28.

At this half-day seminar, find out how to comply with NJ's new pay-to-play disclosure rules and learn what you need to do to protect your business and assure compliance. The cost is $109 per person for NJBIA members and $139 for nonmembers. For more information, or to become a sponsor, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 219.

Other Upcoming Events

Meet NJ's Top Two Legislative Leaders, Sept. 26 - Hear directly from New Jersey's two most powerful legislative leaders, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and Senate President Richard Codey. This event will be held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Twp. (just off exit 8A of the NJ Turnpike) from 7:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Plenty of time will be set aside to answer your questions. Don't miss this informative networking event; register online now.

Meet State Environmental Commissioner Lisa Jackson, Oct. 3 - At this event, you will hear from NJ Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson. The breakfast will run from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. For more information, contact at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, or register online now. Call at ext. 219 to become a sponsor.

NJBIA to Honor 10 at Awards for Excellence Dinner, Oct. 16 - NJBIA member companies that have achieved excellence in activities related to environmental quality, human resources management, public service, and job creation will receive NJBIA's Award for Excellence during a dinner banquet at the Pines Manor, Route 27 in Edison. Established in 1984, the Awards for Excellence program recognizes companies of every size from modest, family-owned enterprises to Fortune 500 companies. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. and will include a reception, dinner and the awards presentations. Tables of ten are available. For additional information, call at 609-393-7707, ext. 239, or register online now. To become a sponsor of this event, contact ext. 219.