State Programs to Help Train and Build Your Workforce

—Summary—

This NJBIA Fast Facts provides information on a wide range of state resources, including financing, incentives, and grants designed to assist New Jersey employers hire and train employees. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but instead provides a good overview of the workforce development resources most likely to benefit your business.

—NJBIA Workforce Training Resources—

Through its public-private partnerships with the NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development and the NJ Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development, NJBIA is able to offer its members workforce training at no cost. Opportunities for employers include:

• Basic Skills Workforce Training – Allows employers, at no cost, to enroll their workforces in courses which teach English as a second language, written and verbal communications, computer applications (Windows and Microsoft Office), and mathematics and measurements. Classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualifying businesses can register as few as one employee or groups of employees in the program. Please click here for The NJBIA Basic Skills Workforce Training Program.
• Skills Partnership Training Program (Customized Training Grants) – Upgrades the skills of workers to create jobs, retain jobs and/or increase wages for trained workers in occupations with high labor demand. In the past grants have been awarded to companies to train workers in everything from assembly-line work to loan origination. As part of the program, the NJ Community College Consortium will develop a specific training program to meet an employer’s needs and write the grant application at no cost. Please click here for training.
• Manufacturing Training Program in Fabricated Metal Product / CNC Machining – NJBIA and the Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development have put together a 10-12 Week Training Program with approximately 300 Classroom and Laboratory Instructional Successful graduates of this program will receive a College Certificate of Competency and take the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Certification Exam for Measurement, Materials, & Safety Level I. Please click here for the Advanced Manufacturing Training Initiative.

—Other Workforce Training and Hiring Incentives —

• Workforce 55+ Program – This is a federally funded program that fully pays the salaries of economically disadvantaged seniors for up to 48 months. Program participants receive the counseling, assessment and training necessary to enable them to be placed in unsubsidized employment in the future. In the past, the program has funded positions including clerk typists, food service workers, receptionists, retail sales associates, flower arrangers, and teacher aides. Please click here for Mature Worker Services.
• Ready to Work New Jersey – This program can help you find the right workers with the right skill sets, and it will reimburse you for up to 90 percent of the skilled worker’s salary or wage cost during the training period. To be eligible for wage reimbursement, participating companies must have job openings in one of the following industry sectors: information technology, pharmaceutical/life sciences, or advanced manufacturing. Funded with state and federal grants, the program provides training and job development services, and on-the-job training for the long- term unemployed and underemployed in New Jersey and matches them with employers who need their skills. The program gives preference to unemployed military veterans. The program is also designed to help the incumbents who seek training to advance their careers with their current employers. Please click here for Ready Work New Jersey.
• Employer Incentive Grant –The Employer Partnership Program helps you grow your business by allowing you to train and hire individuals tailored to your specific business needs. This program helps defray the cost of training new employees and gives unemployed workers enhanced skills and permanent, full-time employment. Please click here for the Workforce Programs.
• Work First New Jersey On The Job Training Program – Employers can receive wage-based compensation, tax credits, and training benefits for hiring WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) participants. Please click here for On-the-Job Training Incentives.
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit – Provides federal tax credits of $2,400 – $9,000 to hire employees with employment barriers including the disabled, certain veterans, general assistance recipients and ex-felons. The program is designed to enable employees to gradually move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency. Please click here for Work Opportunity Tax Credit
• Federal Bonding Insurance – Sponsored by the USDOL. A free-of-charge business insurance policy that protects the employer in case of any loss of money or property due to employee dishonesty. Provides employers with an incentive to hire and helps individuals considered “risky” to overcome barriers that might keep them from getting or keeping a job. Please click here for Federal Bonding Information for Businesses.

—Other Resources —

• Business Action Center – Helps businesses identify available incentive and financing programs and assists in completing the application process to qualify for state grants and loans. Additionally, the center helps with permitting and regulatory issues by serving as a liaison between employers and various state agencies and departments including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Community Affairs. To receive assistance from the Business Action Center, please call 866- 534-7789 or visit the New Jersey Business Portal by clicking here.
• Talent Networks – Focuses on seven key industries – transportation, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, financial services, health care, retail/ hospitality/tourism and technology – to match employers in these industries with educational institutions, workforce development agencies, government, and community groups. The end goal of the system is to identify the skills and training NJ employers require to remain competitive in the global market. Please click here for New Jersey’s Talent Network.

—For More Information—

If you need additional information, please contact Michael Wallace at 609-393-7707, ext. 9506, or via e-mail at mwallace@njbia.org.

This information should not be construed as constituting specific legal advice.  It is intended to provide general information about this subject and general compliance strategies.  For specific legal advice, NJBIA strongly recommends members consult with their attorney.

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