Labor & Employment (Workforce Development)

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1214: Establishes program in DOLWD to connect persons with disabilities with job training and employment.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to create a program connecting people with disabilities to job training and employment opportunities. It mandates DOLWD to collaborate with qualified nonprofits (with at least five years' experience serving disabled individuals) to develop job training materials and establish an online resource hub. The hub will list training organizations, allow employers to post jobs, and provide information on labor laws and fair employment practices. The program directly affects people with disabilities seeking work, training providers, and employers in New Jersey, with annual reports required to the Governor and Legislature.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates DOLWD to create program connecting disabled individuals to job training/employment, advancing employment access and opportunities for a protected group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1467: Expands Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training programs.

This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to include eligible workforce training programs alongside traditional degree-granting institutions. It requires the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to designate programs meeting specific criteria: minimum 150 hours of classroom instruction, offering industry-valued credentials, and maintaining at least 70% completion and job placement rates. The change directly affects students in non-degree workforce training programs and the institutions offering them, allowing these programs to access state tuition aid. The authority will determine eligibility based on these standards, while maintaining existing requirements for degree programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded Tuition Aid Grant program to include workforce training, increasing government spending on education and workforce development through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition aid access to workforce training programs, increasing educational opportunities and funding for non-traditional pathways beyond degree-granting institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands tuition aid to workforce training programs with job placement requirements, directly advancing employment standards and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1693: Provides dedicated funding for promotion of apprenticeships and apprenticeship programs from Workforce Development Partnership Fund.

This bill (S 1693) dedicates specific funding from New Jersey's existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund to promote apprenticeships. It allocates 5% of annual revenues to One Stop Career Centers for statewide apprenticeship promotion and 0.5% to the Apprenticeship Start-Up Grant Program. These funds support accredited apprenticeship programs (approved by the U.S. Department of Labor) and help workers - especially displaced or disadvantaged individuals - gain industry-valued credentials through training. The bill directly affects apprenticeship programs, career centers, and workers seeking job training opportunities.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDedicates funding to promote apprenticeships for workers, especially displaced/disadvantaged groups, advancing workforce development and employment opportunities through accredited programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 62: Declares Department of Labor and Workforce Development new rules concerning employment status test for independent contractors inconsistent with legislative intent.

SCR 62 is a concurrent resolution (not a bill) declaring the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development's proposed rules for applying the ABC test inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution targets specific proposed rule changes (e.g., N.J.A.C. 12:11-1.3(c)(2)(i)(3), 12:11-1.5(h)) that would make it harder for workers, particularly in the gig economy (like ride-share drivers), to qualify as independent contractors by redefining standard business practices (e.g., using apps or insurance) as indicators of employer control. It asserts these rules contradict the original ABC test’s purpose - establishing clear, consistent standards for worker classification under unemployment compensation law (R.S.43:21-19) - by creating an unintended presumption of employee status. The Legislature has formally instructed the Department to withdraw or revise the rules within 30 days.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentOpposes rules that would reclassify gig workers as employees, weakening protections. Legislative intent supports independent contractor status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Unemployment Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1637: Establishes Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship, Training, and Employment Resources Pilot Program in DOLWD; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a 5-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Program under New Jersey's Department of Labor, appropriating $1 million to fund accredited apprenticeship programs in nuclear energy sectors. It provides grants to eligible organizations (like businesses, schools, or nonprofits) that partner with industry to train workers in nuclear infrastructure, utilities, and radioactive waste handling, with priority for programs serving underserved communities. Grantees must demonstrate industry partnerships, financial contributions, and outreach plans, and must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement. The program requires the Department to evaluate outcomes yearly and recommend renewal or expansion based on workforce gap data.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds nuclear energy workforce development via apprenticeships, advancing clean energy infrastructure training for nuclear sector workers and underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $1M for nuclear energy apprenticeships prioritizing underserved communities, directly advancing workforce training and employment opportunities in skilled labor sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1054: Establishes Office for Women's Advancement in DOLWD to facilitate full and equal participation of women in workplace; makes an appropriation.

This bill establishes the Office for Women’s Advancement within New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development to promote full and equal participation of women in the workplace. The office will collect and analyze data on workplace issues affecting women - including pay gaps, hiring practices, and work-family balance - and collaborate with state agencies like the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. It will review legislation and regulations related to gender equity, provide public education through reports and events, and recommend policy changes. The bill also creates a dedicated "Women's Advancement Fund" to finance these activities, with an annual state appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly makes an appropriation to fund a new Office for Women's Advancement, directly advancing state budget allocation for a specific program.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates office to address gender pay gaps, hiring practices, and workplace equality, directly advancing women's labor rights and participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 16, 2026

S 3217: Establishes Statewide Skills Academy Network; appropriates $1 million.

This bill establishes a Statewide Skills Academy Network to connect county colleges, vocational schools, and union training programs across New Jersey. It appropriates $1 million to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the network’s work in improving collaboration, identifying workforce training gaps, and developing accessible short-term programs in high-demand fields. The network will focus on sharing best practices, expanding geographic access to training, and creating an integrated credentialing system to help workers gain job-ready skills. Regional skills academies selected through a competitive process will use grant funds to develop training sites offering evening and weekend classes. The bill directly affects educational institutions, workforce training providers, and workers seeking credentials in growing industries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $1M to establish Skills Academy Network, enhancing workforce training access and collaboration between educational institutions per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce training network to address skill gaps in high-demand fields, enhancing worker employment opportunities and skills development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Collective Bargaining Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1831: Establishes Statewide youth apprenticeship program; appropriates $25 million annually.

New Jersey's S 1831 establishes a statewide youth apprenticeship program for students aged 16-21, directly affecting high school students (particularly 11th and 12th graders), employers, and low-income apprentices. The bill creates career-connected high school pathways, combines paid on-the-job training with community college dual enrollment, and prioritizes high-demand sectors like healthcare, IT, manufacturing, and green jobs. It appropriates $25 million annually starting in FY2026 to fund the program, including tax credits of up to $5,000 per apprentice for employers who pay at least 60% of journeyperson wages and meet diversity and reporting requirements. The program requires annual reporting on participation demographics, completion rates, and state savings from reduced reliance on student aid, while prohibiting duplication of existing apprenticeship programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $25M annually for youth apprenticeship program, directly increasing state funding for workforce development and public service expansion.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $25M annually for youth apprenticeship program creating career pathways, dual enrollment, and expanding access to high-demand sectors for high school students.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $25M annual youth apprenticeship program with paid training, dual enrollment, and career pathways in high-demand sectors, directly advancing employment opportunities for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education Apprenticeships Child Labor Workforce Development

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in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1160: Requires DOLWD to allow individuals to schedule unemployment service appointments at One Stop Career Centers via telephone or Internet.

This bill (S 1160) requires New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to allow unemployment claimants to schedule appointments at One Stop Career Centers by phone or internet, not just online. It directly affects individuals applying for or receiving unemployment benefits who need to meet with career center staff. The key provision expands current scheduling options - currently only internet appointments are permitted - to include telephone scheduling, defined as meetings related to unemployment benefits. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and is procedural in nature, focusing on improving access to appointment systems.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands access to unemployment benefits by adding phone scheduling options, reducing barriers for claimants seeking services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Unemployment Workforce Development

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