Christie Administration Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

On Nov 15, 2016

This week the Christie Administration will join the US Department of Labor and states across the nation in celebrating the second annual National Apprenticeship Week, bringing together employers, educators, apprentices, workforce professionals and students to raise awareness of, expand opportunities in and recognize the value of registered apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships are a great resource for both employers and job seekers,” said Acting Commissioner Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D., of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “Our department is focused on creating a talent pipeline of skilled workers to fuel the state’s economy. Apprenticeships do just that, by helping employers train workers in the specific skills their businesses need while offering job seekers the opportunity to learn about an industry through hands-on work experience.”

Today, the Health Care Talent Network hosted an event on non-traditional pathways, apprenticeship opportunities and talent pipeline programs in the health care industry, one of New Jersey’s leading job growth sectors. Deputy Labor Commissioner Catherine Frugé Starghill presented a proclamation from Governor Chris Christie recognizing November 14 through 18 as Registered Apprenticeship Week in New Jersey.

Apprenticeship is an “earn and learn” training model that combines work-based learning with related classroom instruction. Employers that offer apprenticeship programs can diversify their workforce, improve profitability, standardize training and reduce turnover. Over the past three-quarters of a century, the apprenticeship system has transitioned from exclusively the construction and skilled trades to more than 1,000 occupations, including careers in healthcare, IT, energy and more.

The state Department of Labor administers a variety of apprenticeship programs. The New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity, or NJBUILD, provides funding for pre-apprenticeship training, basic skills instruction and structured work experience for entry-level skills for women and minorities in the construction trades.

The department also manages the County Apprenticeship Coordinator Program. Based at vocational schools throughout the state, New Jersey’s County Apprenticeship Coordinators ensure that registered apprentices are able to complete the classroom instruction component of their registered apprenticeships. They also work to promote registered apprenticeship training programs to job seekers and to expand registered apprentice sponsorship to employers in new industries.

Also funded by the department is the Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) program, which recruits, screens and facilitates effective transitions of high school juniors and seniors to high-skill, high-wage employment in labor demand occupations. YTTW brings the knowledge and expertise of New Jersey’s tradespeople to classrooms around the state.

The department will participate in the following Apprenticeship Week events throughout the state:

Tuesday, November 15

Linking Apprenticeship to New Jersey’s At-Risk Youth; Joseph J. D’Aries Carpenters Training Center – Kenilworth

Wednesday, November 16

Apprenticeship for Vulnerable Populations; Rutgers University – Newark

Linking Apprenticeship to New Jersey’s At-Risk Youth; Thomas C. Ober Carpenters Training Center –Hammonton

Thursday, November 17

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Talent Network Registered Apprenticeship Workshop; Rowan College at Gloucester County – Sewell

Friday, November 18

Retail, Hospitality & Tourism Talent Network Registered Apprenticeship Workshop; Carnegie Center at Stockton University – Atlantic City

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