EDISON – Gov. Phil Murphy announced plans March 29 to create the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, a new path for state residents to enter high-skilled careers through paid apprenticeships that may include college credit.
The announcement took place at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters’ new state-of-the-art training center in Edison. The training center will serve as the state’s location for education and training for over 1,000 carpenter apprentices.
“A stronger and fairer New Jersey starts with creating a workforce that is ready and trained to build a world-class infrastructure for our state,” Murphy stated in a release.
“The New Jersey Apprenticeship Network will help to fulfill our need for skilled workers while training countless New Jersey residents for well-paying jobs. This historic investment in our state’s future workers will ensure that New Jersey continues to lead the nation in a strong, well-trained workforce.”
The governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 19 includes $10 million to support the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, which would include support for organized labor training programs like the ones held at the new training center, as well as new partnerships that are in progress. The state will seek out industry and corporate partners.
The New Jersey Apprenticeship Network would be funded from Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP) funds, administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Murphy’s budget includes $34.5 million in WDPP funds for new and expanded programs.
“The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is very excited to work with Gov. Murphy in establishing a new Apprenticeship Network,” stated Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.
“For far too long, harder-to-place workers – whether they be young people starting their careers, veterans who have served their country, ex-offenders hoping for a second chance, or older workers who have been displaced from their long-held jobs – have been afterthoughts on the employment spectrum.
“Equipping these and other residents with the technical skills employers require uplifts workers and businesses and elevates New Jersey’s economy. We’re proud to be part of this forward-thinking, permanent employment pathway that will expand our talent pool to the most in-demand industries in our state.”
Murphy has directed Asaro-Angelo, Acting Commissioner Lamont Repollet of the Department of Education, and Acting Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis to put together a comprehensive plan for the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network.
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