Business and Employer Services
The Bergen County Workforce Development Board (WDB) and Job Center Business Services Representatives work hand-in-hand to provide businesses access to a wealth of resources designed to help them achieve their workforce goals — all at no cost.
At your invitation, our team will come ready to work closely with your organization to tailor talent strategies and solutions specific to your needs.
Whether you are already in business, just starting a business, or expanding, we can help train employees, recruit qualified workers, navigate programs and services, leverage financial incentives, make referrals to additional resources, and provide access to industry intelligence.
Quick Links
- Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Support
- Hiring and Training Incentives
- Training Grants
- Tax Credits
- Federal Bonding
- Apprenticeships & Internships
- Diversity and Inclusion Incentives
- Veterans
- Vocational Rehabilitation Referrals
- Public Assistance Participants
- WorkForce 55+
- Workforce Reduction Support
- National Labor Exchange NJ Employer Access
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Business Benefits
There are many resources available to assist businesses in hiring new employees and upskilling their workforce. We can help you:
- Tap into financial incentives to help offset the cost of growing your workforce.
- Target outreach to underutilized talent pools to help expand diverse and inclusive workplaces.
- Access a range of skilled workers from entry-level to experienced.
- Deliver customize training to close skill gaps and build career pathways.
- Host and promote hiring events.
- Receive valuable labor market information and explore workforce trends to help guide data-driven decisions.
- Connect to community resources and industry partnerships.
Get Connected
The Bergen County Workforce Development Board’s employer-driven network of members and partners puts us in a unique position to help businesses further develop their workforce and find information pertinent to their industry. For instance, the Bergen WDB can:
- Provide professional insight to address workforce development challenges.
- Share timely industry intelligence used to make smart workforce investments.
- Facilitate connections to community leaders and other workforce partners to develop the talent critical to your success.
- Identify creative solutions and help create individualized workforce development plans.
- Leverage resources and regional partnerships specific to business sectors.
Ready to Get Started?
Employers can take advantage of employment and training opportunities, financial incentives, recruiting assistance, and workforce expertise — all at no cost.
Feel free to explore the program and incentive details in the “How Can We Help You?” section below. Or, reach out to us directly, and we will guide you in the right direction.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
STEP 1
The first step is to connect with us. Initially, we will have a consultation to understand your business and get to know your unique needs.
STEP 2
Then, we will work together to help develop a solution that is right for your organization.
STEP 3
Your assigned Business Representative will serve as your single-point-of-contact for all of your needs.
Our Goal is to Facilitate Your Success
Are you looking for talent or recommendations to help you reach your workforce goals?
We can provide an array of services to assist you in attracting, training, and retaining a skilled workforce.
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition Support
Every hire is vital to the success of any business. But acquiring the right talent can sometimes be a challenge.
By combining the talents of experienced workforce professionals and labor market intelligence, we can help to identify and recruit ideal candidates for your company.
Best of all, our programs and services are a “no fee” staffing incentive.
Together, we can make great hires happen!
Recruitments & Job Fairs
Our Business Services Representatives can plan and promote targeted recruitment events where you can meet applicants.
Are you interested in hosting, posting, or attending a job fair? We can help with that too.
Job Postings & Candidate Search
The National Labor Exchange (NLx) New Jersey Employer Access portal allows employers to post jobs easily, quickly, and at no cost. This portal provides employers with the most up-to-date and responsive information available on job openings, labor market data, employment resources, and more.
Discover Diverse Pools of Talent
Receive guidance on diversity and inclusion, and learn about programs and incentives for hiring employees with specific characteristics such as veterans, individuals with disabilities, justice-involved workers, individuals receiving government benefits, young adults, and mature workers.
Hiring and Training Incentives
Employees are your most important asset, but they can also be your most significant expense. Many programs are available to help you remain competitive by enhancing your current workforce and new hires’ skills. These programs are designed to offset some of the costs associated with hiring and training.
YOU interview. YOU make the hiring decisions.
Note: The programs listed on this page are established and modified through laws at the federal, state, and local levels and can change at any time. Contact us for the most current information.
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
On-the-Job Experience (OJE)
Private, non-profit employers who offer eligible job seekers the opportunity to gain work experience may do so at no cost. OJE’s provide an opportunity to observe and train an employee before hiring. Learn more .
Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Opportunity Partnership Program
NJDOL Internships
Employers are reimbursed for a portion of a first-time intern’s wages for assignments associated with New Jersey’s key industries. For more information, call (609) 292-5462 email Internships@dol.nj.gov, or visit nj.gov/labor .
Registered Apprenticeship
Registered Apprenticeship is a flexible “earn and learn” talent solution that combines work-based learning with classroom instruction. It leads to increased skill attainment, competitive wages, and industry-recognized credentials for new hires and incumbent staff. Learn more.
NJDOL Grants
There are several other grant opportunities available to New Jersey employers to upgrade the occupational, literacy, and safety skills of their current employees or train new employees. Learn more.
Federal Bonding Program
A federal bond is a no-cost job-placement insurance policy for hiring job seekers who have poor credit, are recovering from substance abuse, are on public assistance, or are justice-involved. Learn more.
Foreign Labor Certification
Diversity and Inclusion Incentives
Even when the economy is strong, some individuals face challenges finding meaningful and sustainable work. Similarly, many employers find it difficult to attract and retain good employees. Yet, there are many under-employed subgroups of job seekers representing an untapped labor pool.
We want to make sure employers are reaching ALL job-ready candidates regardless of background or circumstance. In this section, we profile specialty hiring incentive programs that address specific employment challenges and needs.
Connecting Veterans to Employment
We are committed to helping veterans by preparing them to transition to civilian employment. Veterans and their eligible spouses receive priority of service at the Bergen County Job Center (formerly known as the Bergen One-Stop Career Center).
If your company is interested in hiring vets, our dedicated Veteran Business Representative can help. You may also be eligible for a tax incentive for hiring a veteran.
Find out more by accessing these additional resources at the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) site .
Connecting Job Seekers with Disabilities to Employment
The Bergen County Workforce Development Board Abilities Committee created a video highlighting the many benefits of hiring people with different abilities.
This video features several Bergen County businesses speaking, from the employer’s perspective, about the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce and why other companies should follow suit.
We can help you become a leader in the employment and advancement of people with disabilities in the workplace.
We work collaboratively with the NJ DVRS (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services) Business Outreach Team to promote the many benefits of hiring employees with disabilities, assist employers with accommodations, and to enhance career opportunities for the job candidates.
All of these FREE tools and resources inform employers on the value of hiring, retaining, and advancing people with disabilities:
- Disability Etiquette Training
- Assistive Technology Presentations & Assessments
- ADA Consultations
- Exclusive Hiring Events
- Exclusive Hiring Events
- Tax Incentives
- Training Information and Incentives
- Job Analysis
Hiring Incentives and Sponsorship Opportunities for WFNJ Participants
We are committed to helping people transition from welfare to work and self-sufficiency through job training, education, and workforce readiness activities. WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) participants are individuals and families who receive public assistance such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance (GA), or Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (NJ SNAP, formerly Food Stamps).
Hiring Incentives
Incentives are available to businesses that hire WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ – the state’s welfare reform program) participants.
- On-the-job training (OJT) wage subsidy
- Tax credits
- Registered apprenticeship subsidy
How can I find qualified participants looking for work?
(1) You provide us with your job specifications, (2) Our employment specialists pre-screen qualified candidates, (3) You interview and select the right candidate for your position.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Clients receiving public assistance are required to participate in the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP) assignments.
Participants are placed in non-paying community work experience positions with non-profit organizations or community agencies that provide direct community service.
The CWEP acts as a stepping stone to help participants acquire the general skills, training, knowledge, work habits, and resume building necessary to obtain non-subsidized employment.
We are creating paths to economic self-sufficiency through work experiences and employment. Contact us if your organization is interested in sponsoring or hiring WorkFirst New Jersey participants.
WorkForce 55+
The 55 and older worker is one of the fastest-growing segments of the labor market and has been a consistent source for skilled and reliable labor.
The mature employee can add considerable value to your workforce. Older workers have the experience, great people skills, low absenteeism, require little training, and are more flexible and loyal.
Employers are becoming more “age smart” in their recruiting efforts.
Your business can reach the 55+ under-utilized pool of talent by partnering with your local Easterseals Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) .
Easterseals partners with community-based non-profit organizations and government agencies (host agencies) to provide participants with training opportunities to update their skills. During the time in SCSEP, job seekers work with Easterseals staff to target and achieve personal employment goals.
Easterseals SCSEP can offer your business:
- No-cost access to pre-screened candidates
- Possible reimbursement of first 30 days wages ($2,000+ potential savings)
- Tax credit assistance
- Assistance in diversifying your workforce
- Job-related follow-up consulting and coaching
- Spanish language support
- Computer skills training
Workforce Reduction Support
Managing a workforce reduction is a complicated process, and we are here to help. We offer a full range of services designed to support companies and their employees during unfortunate downsizing initiatives.
Our number one goal is to transition affected employees into other employment opportunities during the workforce reduction and adjustment periods to prevent or minimize the duration of unemployment.
Confidentiality, if requested, is assured and allows for the planning and implementation of your customized solution. Our Business Representatives can guide you through compliance components, employee supports, and additional customized services.
How Can You Help Us?
Employers play a critical role in shaping the workforce. Beyond providing jobs, there are a variety of ways you can help us to help you! Visit our volunteer page for more information.
For instance, you can:
- Serve on the Workforce Development Board or one of its committees.
- Connect with us regarding new ideas, workforce initiatives.
- Create on-the-job training opportunities, host an Intern, or develop apprenticeships.
- Host, sponsor or speak at one of our workforce events.
- Provide us with information and guidance on specific workforce trends to ensure that local workforce plans are addressing the needs of our local businesses.
- Help develop a customized training curriculum and occupational credentials.
Talk to us about your workforce needs.
Use the Contact Form below, or contact our Business Resource Representative directly at 201-329-9600 (OPTION 1).