Newark Real Estate Summit Overlooks Workforce Development Needs

Opinion: Developers and contractors must commit to training and hiring Newark residents for construction jobs fueled by public incentives.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Today, over 630 organizations will attend the third annual Newark Real Estate Summit, showcasing the residential, commercial, arts and infrastructure projects reshaping Newark's skyline. However, the event's agenda lacks a focus on building the workforce needed to deliver these projects and ensuring Newark residents are prepared to participate in and benefit from this growth. The authors argue that a Newark 2026 Workforce Development Plan is needed to require developers and contractors seeking public incentives to provide real training and pathways to good jobs for Newark residents.

Why it matters

Newark's rapid redevelopment is fueled by public incentives, but the benefits are not equitably reaching the city's residents, especially young people and returning citizens who remain unemployed or underemployed. Intentional workforce planning can help align training with real project timelines, reduce risk, stabilize schedules, and strengthen project delivery while also delivering shared economic return to the community.

The details

The authors note that Newark's last comprehensive workforce framework, Newark 2020, reflected a different moment, and the city's 2026 reality includes larger projects, more public incentives, tighter construction timelines, and a construction industry facing serious labor shortages. They argue this reality demands a Newark 2026 Workforce Development Plan that is directly aligned with development activity. The plan should require projects seeking public benefit to provide measurable training and workforce outcomes, such as paid training, support services, and commitments to local hiring of underserved residents. The authors highlight successful models like Jingoli Construction's Train-to-Hire program and PSE&G's Clean Energy training program that could be replicated.

  • Today, over 630 organizations will attend the third annual Newark Real Estate Summit.
  • Newark's last comprehensive workforce framework, Newark 2020, reflected a very different moment.

The players

Vivian Cox Fraser

President & CEO of the Urban League of Essex County.

Rev. Steffie Bartley

Northeast Regional director of the National Action Network.

Jingoli Construction

A construction company that has demonstrated leadership through its Train-to-Hire model, which has provided pathways for more than 100 individuals to access well-paying, union construction careers.

PSE&G

A utility company that provides a Clean Energy training program to give underserved communities in the state access to paid training, support services, job training and placement with its network of trade allies.

Urban League of Essex County

An organization that has built industry-aligned workforce pipelines through partnerships, including clean energy connected to PSE&G and construction-related opportunities tied to its own development projects.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Where is the focus on building the workforce needed to deliver these projects—and what is the commitment to ensure that Newark residents being prepared to participate in and benefit from this growth?”

— Vivian Cox Fraser, President & CEO of the Urban League of Essex County (tapinto.net)

“Construction jobs are plentiful across New Jersey, yet contractors continue to report difficulty finding job-ready workers. At the same time, too many Newark residents—especially young people and returning citizens—remain unemployed or underemployed. This disconnect is not a talent issue; it is a pipeline issue.”

— Vivian Cox Fraser, President & CEO of the Urban League of Essex County (tapinto.net)

“When public tools unlock private development, Newark should require measurable training and workforce outcomes that strengthen projects and deliver shared economic return.”

— Rev. Steffie Bartley, Northeast Regional director of the National Action Network (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The authors call for the development of a Newark 2026 Workforce Development Plan that would require projects seeking public benefit to provide measurable training and workforce outcomes, such as paid training, support services, and commitments to local hiring of underserved residents.

The takeaway

Newark's rapid redevelopment is an opportunity to ensure that the benefits reach the city's residents, especially young people and returning citizens who remain unemployed or underemployed. Intentional workforce planning and aligning training with real project timelines can strengthen project delivery while also delivering shared economic return to the community.