Letters to The Editor

OpEd: AN ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY IN SEARCH OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS

609.392.4214

emontero@chemistrycouncilnj.org

An essential industry in search of essential workers

By Hal Bozarth

Executive Director, Chemistry Council of New Jersey

For the nation’s chemistry teachers, a weeklong celebration this October of the science that has sparked their educational careers is akin to attending the Superbowl in a blizzard: you desperately want to be there but you know the forecast could be better.

“National Chemistry Week” kicks off at schools around the country on Oct. 19 at a time when U.S. leaders are worried about the fate of the economy, given the economic crisis rippling through the country.

What’s the connection between the celebration in our school systems of an essential science and the nation’s economy? Quite a lot.

The chemistry industry contributes billions of dollars into the economy and is the economic lifeline for millions of professionals, their families and their communities. The U.S. is the number one producer of chemistry products in the world, generating more than $664 billion a year in sales, with one-quarter of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) directly related to chemistry. Virtually all segments of the U.S. economy depend in some way on chemistry.

Consider the following about the chemistry industry:

-          It generates nearly four hundred thousand jobs – in agriculture, pharmaceutical, and other industries in New Jersey.

-          It is one of New Jersey’s top exporters, with $8.1 billion in annual exports.

-          It generates employee compensation of $25.5 billion.

-          It pays 53% higher wages than the average manufacturing sector job in New Jersey (while being twice as safe).

-          The products of chemistry are one out of every eight patents and $27 billion is invested in research every year.

However, our industry is facing a dilemma as there has been a decline in interest among students in the field and increasing retirement rates. As an industry that is a key contributor to the New Jersey economy, offers high-paying jobs, and provides solutions and innovations to help solve the issues facing our world today, it is imperative that we encourage students to learn more about this exciting and ever-changing field. Today’s youth are essential to tomorrow’s future.

In October New Jersey’s teachers and throughout the country will be encouraging kids in K-12 grades to take part in “National Chemistry Week.” Among the activities offered, they’ll be inviting them to participate in a poster contest with the theme of “Having A Ball With Chemistry” focused on the link between chemistry and sports.

Students are often captivated by the simple proposition that fun and science go together like peanut butter and jelly. If we can engage young minds and spark new ambition, chemistry will remain an American economic centerpiece.

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The Chemistry Council of New Jersey (CCNJ), founded in 1955, is the premier trade and advocacy organization representing the interests of about 100 New Jersey manufacturers in the business of chemistry. Our membership consists of large and small companies that are part of New Jersey’s chemical, pharmaceutical, consumer packages goods, petroleum, flavor & fragrances and precious metals industries. The CCNJ is committed to a better quality of life through science.