This bill establishes the New Jersey Workplace Skills Savings Program, a state-funded initiative designed to help employees save money for job training and skills development. The program creates individual accounts where eligible workers can contribute up to $1,000 annually, with the state providing a dollar-for-dollar match on those contributions. Administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the program allows funds to be used for apprenticeships, licensing exams, and certification fees, while protecting account balances from creditor claims. The legislation appropriates $25 million to fund the program and requires that any unused state matching funds be returned to the general fund if an individual withdraws from the program.
This New Jersey bill creates a grant program to help small to mid-sized businesses hire cybersecurity specialists by providing funding to cover one year of startup salary costs. The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is designed for businesses with fewer than 500 employees that operate primarily within the state. Companies must apply through a formal process and agree to pay at least the state's mean wage for cybersecurity positions while submitting quarterly reports to verify hiring and spending. The legislation appropriates $750,000 in initial funding and allows the department to seek additional public or private contributions to support the program.
This bill establishes an agricultural apprenticeship program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to train new farmers. The program has two stages: Stage 1 (for beginner farmers with less than five years of experience) requires 225 hours of on-the-job training and 25 hours of technical instruction to earn a pre-apprenticeship credential, while Stage 2 (for those who complete Stage 1) requires 2,700 hours of on-the-job training over 18 months on a host farm (operated by an established farmer with at least five years of experience), 210 hours of technical instruction, and passing a skills assessment to earn an apprenticeship credential, with participants receiving a stipend during Stage 2. Technical instruction covers practical topics like farm business planning, tractor safety, food safety, and equipment maintenance, while core skills assessed include crop planning, harvesting, and livestock handling. The program will be developed in consultation with the State Agriculture Development Committee and administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
This bill allows local governments in New Jersey to use a "layoff plan" instead of a full "employment reconciliation plan" when transitioning employees between municipalities under shared service agreements or joint meetings. It requires layoff plans to include minimum protections: terminal leave payments (one month per five years of service for terminated employees) and placement on a special reemployment list for future civil service jobs. The bill directly affects civil service employees in local governments entering shared service arrangements and the Civil Service Commission, which must review plans within 45 days. These changes streamline transitions while ensuring basic worker protections during service-sharing agreements.
This bill (A1443, "The New Jersey YouthBuild Act") creates a state grant program administered by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to fund YouthBuild programs for economically disadvantaged youth, particularly those who have not completed high school. It directly affects eligible youth (ages 16-24) and community organizations that can apply for grants to run these programs. Key provisions require funded programs to provide balanced services: 50% classroom education (including high school diploma preparation) and 50% construction/vocational training in housing rehabilitation for low-income communities, plus counseling, leadership development, and a stipend for participants. The program aims to promote economic self-sufficiency through job skills, education, and community-focused housing projects.
This bill (A 1929) requires New Jersey to create a program paying high school equivalency exam fees for low-income adults. It directly affects individuals with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, who seek a state-issued high school diploma. The State Board of Education must establish the program within six months, including income verification documentation, and limit fee coverage to one exam per person. The program will be funded using 5% of revenues from the existing Workforce Development Partnership Fund, as amended in Section 9 of P.L.1992, c.43.
This bill (A1378) creates a new apprenticeship pathway for individuals seeking licensure as manicurists in New Jersey, directly affecting aspiring nail care professionals. It amends existing cosmetology licensing laws to allow applicants to meet education requirements through on-the-job training under a licensed supervisor, instead of completing a formal cosmetology program. The key provision establishes that apprenticeship hours can count toward the total training needed for licensure, with supervision by a licensed manicurist or cosmetologist. This change aims to provide a more accessible route to licensure while maintaining safety standards for nail care services. The bill does not alter the scope of practice for manicurists, which remains focused on nail care (manicuring, pedicuring, and nail sculpting).
This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development (with input from Health and Human Services) to conduct a comprehensive study of the state's healthcare workforce. The study must examine vacancy rates by specialty and region, workforce demographics (including race, gender, and occupation), patient care needs across communities, and future workforce supply versus demand. It will identify gaps in staffing and recommend solutions, with a report due to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The study directly affects all healthcare facilities and workers in New Jersey, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and allied health professionals, though it does not change current policies or funding.
This bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NJSVCC). The funds must be used to support the NJSVCC's programs focused on veteran economic development, outreach, and skills training. The NJSVCC is a nonprofit organization that assists veteran-owned businesses, military spouses, and veterans through advocacy, networking, and job creation initiatives. This supplemental appropriation continues the state's annual funding for the NJSVCC, which previously received $500,000 in FY 2023. The bill directly supports veterans and veteran-owned businesses by enhancing their access to economic opportunities and workforce development resources.
New Jersey Bill A-1329 establishes the "New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative" to connect students, workers, and job seekers with training for high-demand careers. It creates Centers of Workforce Innovation at community colleges focused on 11 key fields like healthcare, cybersecurity, renewable energy, and manufacturing. These centers will develop public curricula, provide job-specific skills training, promote financial aid (including Community College Opportunity Grants), and expand apprenticeships. The bill was introduced in 2026 but withdrawn after being approved as P.L.2025, c.374.
