The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced two agreements with schools in Camden County April 21 to establish sub-arc welding programs.

More than $300,000 in funding will be distributed to Camden County College (CCC) and Camden County Technical Schools (CCTS) to train workers for careers in heavy steel offshore wind component manufacturing.

In a press release announcing the funding, the NJEDA notes that the sub-arc welding is utilized in large-scale component manufacturing, including for the fabrication of monopolies, which are used as the foundation of offshore wind turbines. Thus, welders are in-demand as state’s burgeoning offshore wind industry takes off.

The NJEDA says such partnerships and training initiatives will provide the opportunity for good-paying jobs while creating a diverse and well-trained workforce in this growing sector.

“The agreements with CCC and CCTS add to the momentum underway towards meeting New Jersey’s clean energy goals through strategic investments in offshore wind,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan in a press release. “Gov. Phil Murphy has prioritized building a pipeline of talent for the offshore wind sector in an inclusive, equitable manner that creates opportunities for all New Jerseyans. The state’s highly respected community colleges and technical schools are key partners in providing access to essential training to ensure applicants have the proper skills for the wind industry’s growing opportunities.”

The funding will allow CCC to integrate sub-arc welding into its evening welding programs for adults and establish a new sub-arc training program for individuals with prior welding experience. Five scholarships will be made available for CCC students while NJEDA funding will also support marketing and promoting these programs to attract diverse participants.

“We are enthusiastic to work with the NJEDA, industry stakeholders, and all the partners in this endeavor to fill the talent pipeline,” said CCC President Lovell Pugh-Bassett. “This partnership advances our mission to provide technical and career training for the residents of South Jersey. We are excited to offer this new curriculum that leads to jobs in sub-arc welding.”

CCTS will use the funding to integrate sub-arc welding into its current training programs and establish an afterschool program to train senior level high school students in Camden County with introductory and sub-arc welding. Five scholarships will be available for after-school students. Separately, CCTS is adding a $2.8 million welding center to its Pennsauken campus.

“We are proud to partner with the NJEDA and the Wind Institute on these training programs,” said CCTS Superintendent Frederick Capello. “We have a unique window to get involved with the development of New Jersey’s offshore wind industry by training workers from our Pennsauken and Sicklerville campuses. We look forward to helping our students acquire these in-demand, high-paying positions.”

The NJEDA added that these agreements also build on the efforts of the New Jersey Wind Institute for Innovation and Training, which offers offshore wind workforce development programs. Similar training agreements exist with Gloucester County Institute of Technology and Salem County Vocational Technical Schools.

Jen Becker, NJEDA vice president of offshore wind, said they are excited to expand the reach of these training programs to Camden County and provide students at the two institutions the opportunity to land well-paying positions in the offshore wind industry.

“These welding training opportunities add to our investment in offshore wind training and demonstrate our commitment to ensuring available local talent for the future of offshore wind,” said Becker.