Elizabeth's Skilled Workforce

“At a time when many manufacturers are struggling, our business is thriving in Elizabeth. The City’s quality labor force and UEZ benefits are helping us expand our facility and stay ahead of the competition.”
Anthony D’Urso
Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer
Topps Meat Company LLC

In today’s competitive marketplace, well-trained employees are critical to building customer loyalty and a successful business. In Elizabeth and the surrounding region, businesses can tap into a dynamic workforce with varied skills, degrees and experience.

The City has a skilled labor force that can meet the demands of all business sectors, from the emerging hotel service industry at Elizabeth Center 13A to the information technology demands of high-tech and banking companies making Midtown their new home.

Elizabeth also is home to the nation’s first-ever job training center to open in conjunction with a major retail development – Elizabeth’s Retail Skills Center located in the Jersey Gardens Mall.

Elizabeth's Retail Skills Center The Retail Skills Center is an innovative employment facility whose recruitment, training, customer service certification, and job placement services can help businesses develop and retain an efficient workforce. Since opening, the Center has served more than 200 businesses in the region and provided training for more than 8,000 area residents.

Union County’s One- Stop Career Center

Elizabeth is also home to Union County’s One-Stop Career Center, located in the City’s downtown area. The Center provides a multitude of employment training and placement services for area residents. This benefits business by providing access to a qualified and skilled labor pool.

Union County College’s Industry-Business Institute

The Union County College Industry-Business Institute provides Elizabeth companies with comprehensive assistance in securing and administering New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development training grants.

Elizabeth’s Strong Local Workforce

Elizabeth continues to maintain a strong local workforce, supporting large Elizabeth-based employers such as Wakefern, Pappetti’s and Topps Meat. These companies continue to flourish in Elizabeth, in part, by utilizing UEZ benefits including loans, grants, employee tax credits, unemployment insurance rebates and tax-exempt purchases.

Continued Growth Projected

The future looks bright for area employers as Elizabeth’s workforce continues to grow and residents take advantage of the quality, ongoing job training opportunities offered in the City.