Assembly Panel approves two bills strengthening access to apprenticeship programs

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Assembly Bill, A-4655, creating a tuition fee waiver for apprenticeship programs and A-4656 establishing a task force to develop a statewide plan to diversify apprenticeships cleared their first legislative hurdle Thursday, according to New Jersey Assembly Democrats.

The first measure is sponsored by Assembly members John Armato, D-2nd District, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-37th District, and Wayne DeAngelo, D-14th District.   Armato, Herb Conaway, D-7th District, and Lisa Swain, D-38th District, are sponsors of the second measure.

“The state should have its own action plan to increase diversity in its own apprenticeship programs,” the sponsors said in a statement. “Apprenticeships are a valuable tool to introduce workers to a trade and get them started on a career path.”

“Tuition waivers for those who are eligible will help to attract even more residents to these programs and get more people back to work. They also assist community colleges and high-quality workforce training providers—our educational partners—in facilitating apprenticeship programs in the state.”