This bill allows public works contractors in New Jersey to opt out of participating in registered apprenticeship programs by paying an annual $1,000 fee per craft classification. Contractors choosing this option must still pay all craftworkers at least the prevailing journeyman wage rate. The opt-out fees are split equally: 50% funds workforce development programs for underserved communities, and 50% provides micro-grants to female, minority, and veteran-owned construction firms. Contractors not opting out must register with the state, verify their apprenticeship program meets federal standards (29 C.F.R. sections), and provide documentation of compliance.
This bill establishes a 5-year Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor, funded with $1 million. It provides grants to eligible entities like colleges, unions, and businesses that operate or plan nuclear energy apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, with a focus on underserved communities and nuclear waste workers. To receive funding, applicants must partner with industry, demonstrate financial commitment, and show how the program addresses workforce gaps. Grantees must report annually on participant enrollment, completion, and job placement, while the Department of Labor will evaluate the program's effectiveness yearly. The program aims to train workers for nuclear energy infrastructure, utilities, and related sectors through structured apprenticeships.
This bill establishes the "Employment First Commission" within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The commission, made up of 17 members including state agency heads and representatives from disability organizations, individuals with disabilities, and advocates, will focus on improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Its key duties include analyzing employment data, identifying service gaps, making recommendations to state agencies, and developing an online resource hub for disability employment information. The commission directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking competitive integrated employment - meaning work in regular workplaces at fair wages - and the state agencies that provide related services.
This bill expands New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant Program to cover eligible workforce training programs, directly affecting students seeking non-degree credentials in high-demand fields. To qualify, programs must require 150+ classroom hours, offer industry-valued credentials, and maintain 70%+ completion and job placement rates. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will designate eligible programs and set participation rules, while institutions must report program success metrics. This change allows workforce training participants to access state aid previously limited to degree-granting programs.
This bill (A 1942) provides tax credits to small New Jersey businesses that invest in employee job training. Qualified employers (businesses with under $2.5 million annual revenue, operating in NJ for fewer than 10 years, and employing NJ workers) can claim a 10% credit on training costs, up to $2,000 per employee annually. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax, requires training to lead to industry-recognized credentials, and can be claimed for a maximum of five years. It does not reduce tax liability below the statutory minimum or zero.
This bill creates the Advanced Transmission Technologies Workforce Development Program (ATT Program) within New Jersey's Department of Labor to train electrical engineers and utility workers in installing and managing advanced transmission technology systems. The program focuses on creating jobs, embedding training directly into infrastructure projects, using community benefit agreements, updating student career education, and retraining existing workers. It authorizes the department to use state, federal, and non-governmental funding sources for these efforts and requires annual evaluation reports to the Governor and Legislature starting July 1, 2027. The goal is to build a skilled workforce that supports faster deployment of transmission technology and reduces delays caused by technical capacity gaps.
New Jersey bill A 3472 requires all employers in the state to adopt written domestic violence policies and safety protocols developed by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). The DOLWD must create culturally competent policies covering employee training, response procedures for affected workers, bystander intervention education, and victim resources. Employers must implement these policies within one year of the bill's enactment and share them with all employees at least annually. This applies to every business and organization operating in New Jersey, mandating concrete policy changes to address domestic violence in the workplace.
This bill creates a tax incentive program for small New Jersey manufacturers (employing ≤50 people) to invest in equipment and workforce training. It allows businesses to deduct up to $100,000 annually from their income tax for contributions to a special "manufacturing reinvestment account" held at a New Jersey financial institution. Funds in the account can be used for qualifying expenses like machinery/equipment purchases or New Jersey-based worker training, with unused funds earning tax-advantaged treatment until distributed. The program applies for five consecutive tax years, after which remaining balances are taxed normally.
This bill provides New Jersey employers with tax credits of up to $3,000 per qualified employee hired through One-Stop Career Centers. To qualify, employees must have been unemployed for at least 60 days, completed required training at a career center, and earned an industry-recognized credential during that unemployment period. Employers must retain employees for a minimum of 90 days to claim the credit, which applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax liabilities. The credits cannot exceed 50% of a taxpayer’s liability and may be carried forward for up to seven years if unused. This directly affects New Jersey employers hiring eligible job seekers who completed workforce training programs.
This bill allocates $1.5 million annually from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to support the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) or its successor. NJMEP is a nonprofit organization that helps New Jersey manufacturers improve competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency through customized training and technical assistance. The funding is designated as a permanent, dedicated source within the broader workforce development fund, separate from other allocations for worker training programs. This provision ensures consistent financial backing for NJMEP's services to manufacturers across the state.
