In a bid to help job seekers make their next career move, New Jersey has launched My Career NJ, a new, interactive digital hub – accessible in English and Spanish – that centralizes personalized career resources.
“As Governor, I have made it a priority to expand employment opportunities and enable more New Jersey residents to leverage their unique skill sets in pursuit of their career aspirations,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Building a solid career is an integral step on the path to achieving life-long success, and by adding My Career NJ to the list of resources available to our communities, we are connecting New Jerseyans with the best available training and in-demand career opportunities to help them find meaningful work to support their families and thrive in an evolving job market.”
The governor’s office noted that My Career NJ features two new digital career tools: the NJ Training Explorer and the NJ Career Navigator.
According to the state, the Training Explorer enables customized filtering of training programs, provides information on tuition assistance, and gives users insight into the providers that offer programs that meet a job seekers skill-building needs. The Career Navigator uses big data and machine learning to generate personalized job and career recommendations that align with each user’s skill set, employment history, and individual professional goals across a wide range of private and public employment sectors.
“By using the latest advancements in technology and best practices in human-centered design, My Career NJ expands the boundaries of what state government can do for its workforce. The digital platform guides workers in developing industry-recognized credentials and career plans that are right for them. These tools support residents on their journey to successful employment, and beyond,” said New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.
When developing the portal the state gathered input from hundreds of New Jerseyans, as well as dozens of training providers, career coaches, and academic experts. Prior to its full rollout the site was released in beta in 2022 and underwent extensive user-testing throughout its development. The site is a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, and the non-profit Research Improving People’s Lives.
“Already, hundreds of New Jerseyans shared their job search stories and provided valuable insights, which informed the creation of these resources,” said Dave Cole, New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer. “It is essential that tools like this are centered on the needs and experiences of residents, and we look forward to learning more from those who use My Career NJ to continuously improve it.”
