Governor Phil Murphy announced the launch of the Future of Work Accelerator, a New Jersey State Future of Work Task Force initiative to support innovations that advance New Jersey’s workers’ health and safety, improve access to benefits, strengthen training opportunities, and bolster workers’ voices. The project will be led by the New Jersey State Office of Innovation, in partnership with the RSA’s Future of Work program and The Workers Lab.
“In order to build the stronger and fairer economy New Jerseyans deserve, we need to support individuals and organizations creating the new future of work,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “That’s why I’m proud to announce the inaugural New Jersey Future of Work Accelerator. This collaborative initiative will identify ongoing and proposed efforts to improve job quality and economic security, provide connections to critical resources, and prepare them to launch or scale up here in New Jersey. The work to rebuild our communities impacted by COVID-19 continues, and advancing economic security initiatives will be a key part of this effort. I want to thank our key partners, RSA’s Future of Work program and The Workers Lab, for working together with the New Jersey Office of Innovation on this endeavor.”
“We know there are innovators out there with software, methods, tools and solutions that could help to advance economic security for working families,” said Beth Noveck, Chief Innovation Officer of the State of New Jersey. “Whether you’re a non-profit or for-profit organization, an individual or small team, a student or a worker interested in promoting innovative solutions for worker rights, worker safety and lifelong learning, the Future of Work Accelerator is designed to connect you with other innovators and enable you to pilot or scale your projects in New Jersey for the benefit of workers.”
“We are excited to work with the state of New Jersey on the Future of Work Accelerator to support a diverse group of innovators that can collectively advance economic security in the region,” saidAlexa Clay, RSA US Director. “Through our work together, we aim to enable Accelerator participants to take their place in a movement that is building a new ‘system’ for modern economic security–a blueprint for the future of work in New Jersey and an inspiration to other places wrestling with the challenges of automation, skills training, worker power, and inclusion.”
“The Workers Lab is proud to support the New Jersey Office of Innovation’s Future of Work Accelerator, said Adrian Haro, Chief Executive Officer of The Workers Lab. “As an organization that gives new ideas for workers a chance to succeed, The Workers Lab is eager to see the Accelerator invest in organizations with innovative ideas that improve job quality, increase economic security, and uplift the voice of workers. The New Jersey Future of Work Accelerator builds upon RSA’s 2019 Economic Security Impact Accelerator that supported individuals advancing good work, inclusive growth, and the overall economic security of the UK’s workers.
Through the Future of Work Accelerator, participants will receive custom coaching, curated connections to national experts, and introductions to funders and peers, as well as having the opportunity to pilot worker-centric programs and practices in New Jersey.
The Accelerator is open to startups, entrepreneurs, non-profits, public sector institutions and employees, unions, and grassroots organizations interested in promoting innovative solutions.
The Future of Work Accelerator will focus on innovations that address the following themes:
- Improving employment opportunities for workers via lifelong learning and re-skilling initiatives, improved career and/or training guidance, or other such innovations.
- Offering greater economic security and resilience through financial innovations like portable benefits solutions, crowdfunding initiatives, etc.
- Strengthening worker voice, ownership, and power.
- Enhancing employer practices (e.g., workplace safety innovations, hazard pay, portable benefits, hiring and recruitment technology)
- Improving job opportunities, inclusion, and financial support systems for disadvantaged groups or demographics (e.g. day laborers, immigrants, the elderly, rural workers, misclassified workers in the gig economy, minorities, etc.)
The Accelerator is now accepting applications on the Accelerator website – final submissions must be received by June 14, 2021. The Accelerator kick-off and orientation will be in July 2021 and the program will run for nine months.
