To better align secondary, post-secondary, and adult education and occupational training to the needs of Garden State employers, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced a notice of grant opportunity for $3 million to promote upward mobility and economic fairness through the Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education Training Program.
The PACE Training Program will provide funding to eligible businesses and organizations to prepare people to enter registered apprenticeship programs. These pre-apprenticeship programs will have a documented partnership with at least one registered apprenticeship program sponsor. Together they are intended to expand the participant’s career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction.
“Workforce development is a critical component for economic prosperity,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “With investments like the PACE program as part of my Administration’s New Jersey Apprenticeship Network, we are providing all New Jerseyans with the necessary skills to meet the demands of 21st century jobs, creating a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy.”
The program is focused on engaging under-represented populations, as well as populations facing economic barriers to training and increasing their skills levels. PACE will provide funding to pre-apprenticeship programs to offer stipends to participants to offset costs, and provide access to supportive services that includes, but is not limited to, childcare and transportation services.
The Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship will host technical assistance workshops on Jan. 28 and Feb. 5 in Trenton to provide guidance to interested parties who meet the application requirements of the NGO. People may register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pre-apprenticeship-technical-assistance-workshop-tickets-53960047956
