New Jersey has always turned bold ideas into breakthroughs that change the world. That legacy continues today across its universities, corporations and government labs, where scientists, engineers and educators drive one of the world’s most dynamic economies at the heart of the innovation ecosystem.
As the global economy surges ahead in AI, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing, Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill faces a defining question: How will New Jersey lead the innovation race?
The answer starts with people. Strengthening education and workforce pathways is key to the state’s long-term economic growth. Across New Jersey, employers in life sciences, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing are competing for talent as demand soars. According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, New Jersey STEM jobs are projected to grow 13 percent by 2031, and research-driven industries already add more than $50 billion to the state economy and support 400,000 jobs; yet workforce gaps persist.
For decades, the Research & Development Council of New Jersey has united industry, academia and government to strengthen the state’s innovation economy. By connecting students to careers and aligning education with workforce needs, the Council and its partners have built a strong foundation for growth. These efforts have reached hundreds of thousands of students and cemented New Jersey’s status as a national leader in research and discovery.
To stay competitive, New Jersey must scale what works and invest intentionally into its people. That means aligning education and workforce policy with industry demand, using data to guide smarter investments, modernizing career and technical programs, and preparing workers for an economy increasingly driven by artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
A coordinated plan to develop and retain talent would strengthen every part of New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem. It would help universities attract research funding, enable companies to expand R&D operations, and encourage new ventures to launch and grow here. Each research job creates an economic ripple effect by supporting suppliers, service providers and local communities. Investing in people drives lasting economic growth and keeps innovation rooted here.
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill recognizes that innovation and workforce readiness go hand in hand. In Congress, she championed investments in research and technology through the CHIPS and Science Act and advanced policies to boost U.S. competitiveness in emerging industries. Her American Jobs and Competition Plan called for expanding New Jersey’s innovation capacity and ensuring workers have the skills to thrive in a high-tech economy. As governor, she can turn that vision into a statewide strategy that treats human capital as New Jersey’s most powerful economic advantage.
New Jersey’s innovation ecosystem is world class, and its future depends on a seamless pipeline connecting education, research, and careers. With strategic investment in people, Governor-elect Sherrill can fuel the next generation of discovery and New Jersey can secure its role as a global innovation leader.
Kim Case is the executive director of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, a nonprofit professional association that fosters collaboration among leaders in industry, academia and government to strengthen New Jersey’s innovation economy.
