Ronda Merritt

• Promoted to Business Development Representative covering ten Northern counties representing NJDOL Industry Partnerships Unit assisting business with building partnerships to address employer concerns
• Create business pipelines for employers by working with educational facilities and manufacturing companies
• Host manufacturing conference to initiate, develop and implementation to promote the well-being of businesses throughout the State
• Engage with Business Development Centers, regional organizations such as NJEDA, NJDOL-Business Services, Apprenticeship Unit, WDB's, CBO's, Colleges, High-schools, College Consortiums, NJBAC, NJBIZ, Choose NJ, and more
• Develops bi-weekly reports written to highlight Business penetration, metrix and success stories
• Investigation and research required to effectively assist business community
• Remain abreast of all federal programs, laws and regulations affecting businesses within NJ
• Market Industry Partnerships services and supervise the preparation of required reports
• Initiate and Supervise panel discussion to educate the Manufacturing sector
• Expand business through effective networking strategies growing prospective client base.

• Advanced to Business Services providing Consultative assistance within the assigned territory of Newark/Essex/Union Counties for Small and Mid-sized employers.
• Initiated and Engaged businesses with exploring business needs, and develop and maintain relationships to assist to meet economic development goals.
• Marketed OJT Grants to employers, execute and maintain contracts and ensure payment.
• Conducted/Educated: Employment Recruitments, Rapid Response, Lay Off Aversion, UI, Apprenticeship, Customized training.
• Work with WBD Directors, One Stop Management, Chamber of Commerce, SBA, CBO's,FBO's, & Educational Institutions.

• Interviewed clients to access their needs and made referrals for employment and training.
• Conducted weekly Re-Orientation to classes of fifty participants weekly to inform them of Programs and Services.
• Developed and Instructed course - Introduction to Computers to assist clients with skills building.
• Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
• Team player and worked independently.

• Assisted WFNJ clients by creating job sites to perform CWEP training with future opportunity to gain employment.
• Monitored clients and maintained progress reports.
• Wrote OJT contracts for WFNJ clients as an incentive for hiring and as an incentive to offset cost of training.
• Maintained payments to NJ employers for OJT contracts.

• Effective liaison between customers and internal departments.
• Met with small and mid-sized employers to access their business needs. Assisted employers with navigating through NJDOL to provide assistance with meeting their business needs.
• Organized monthly Panel discussions including local Businesses and provided an opportunity for them to meet with State representatives that could offer assistance for business improvement.

• Interviewed and researched claims gathering factual information before administering UI Law and making payments within allotted time frames.
• Utilized LOOPS and worked extended hours to avoid late payments.
• Calmed irate clients and reassured fairness for outcomes based on UI Law.

• Served as a Single Point of contact for businesses with Essex County.
• Promoted our Programs and Services and incentives that were instrumental to enticing companies to open their business in New Jersey.
• Worked alongside NJEDA, UI, Rapid Response, Trade Act, OJT, and County Representatives.
• Responded to all directives given by Governor's office to assist employers and job seekers. Provided updates on activities.