Department of Labor and Workforce Development Invests in NJ Businesses to Improve Worker’s Skills

On Mar 7, 2016

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) today announced the investment of $2.9 million in customized training grants for New Jersey businesses to improve the skills of their workforces. This round of Skills Partnership Grants will allow 54 New Jersey businesses to improve the skills of more than 10,000 workers. An initial round of nearly $3.2 million was awarded in November 2015 to help 41 companies train nearly 13,000 workers.

“We are committed to building a skilled workforce that drives economic growth and creating a talent development system that ensures all New Jerseyans have the skills, abilities and connections to find jobs,” said Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “These grants help businesses remain competitive while providing workers with the training necessary to improve their future career prospects.”

The customized training grants provide employers with up to 50 percent cost reimbursement assistance to train new or existing employees to meet the current and future skill requirements for available high-skilled, high-wage jobs in New Jersey. The grants are employer-driven, with employers determining who receives training and what training is required. Training costs are shared equally between the state Department of Labor and the employer. Individual businesses could apply for up to $50,000, while industry-specific consortiums could apply for up to $250,000.

New Jersey’s key industries were targeted for these grants, including advanced manufacturing; financial services; health care; bio-pharma/life sciences; construction; retail, hospitality and tourism; technology; and transportation, logistics and distribution. The training grant program is part of LWD’s broader effort to help employers connect with qualified job-seekers and improve workforce skillsets to meet industry demands.

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