The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) board is doling out $3.7 million in grants to five recipients as part of NJEDA’s Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge.

The funding, which was approved by the board in May and announced June 21, is intended to help recipients launch innovative training programs focused on strengthening and diversifying the state’s offshore wind workforce, while providing skill development, job placement and other related services to develop, implement, or expand workforce development initiatives in the burgeoning sector.

The challenge, part of the NJEDA’s Wind Institute for Innovation and Training’s efforts to advance offshore wind workforce development, research and innovation in the state, places a particular emphasis on serving overburdened communities.

The organizations approved for the grants are:

• Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center – $1 million
• Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College – $987,124
• New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance – $700,000
• Apex Solutions Foundation – $612,720
• Ivy Hill Neighborhood Association – $425,155

The NJEDA notes that all selected programs are either led by or partner with a community-based organization serving an overburdened Garden State community.

A core component of the awarded programs is the provision of wraparound services, including transportation, career coaching and other supports, to expand access and address barriers to entry.

Tim Sullivan, chief executive officer at NJEDA, says that as the offshore wind sector grows here in New Jersey, a well-trained and qualified workforce to meet industry needs is a must.

“The NJEDA is committed to ensuring high-quality workforce development training programs are available so that all New Jerseyans, especially those living in minority and low-income communities, have equitable access to this emerging industry,” said Sullivan in a press release. “This is another step towards achieving 11GW of offshore wind by 2040 while creating a better future for the next generation.”

The funding marks another example of intensifying efforts to develop the necessary workforce to support the tens of thousands of jobs that are projected to emerge in New Jersey as the offshore wind sector grows over the next decade. In May, NJBIZ reported about Ørsted and Rowan College of South Jersey’s new offshore wind training initiative, Wind Power Ready: Atlantic City.

“We look forward to working closely with the grantees to ensure a diverse pool of workers with the skills, competencies and credentials needed to thrive in this growing industry sector,” said New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Wind energy is the future. With these grants, we are helping ensure equal opportunities for these sustainable careers are available to all workers in our state.”

“The organizations that were awarded grants clearly demonstrated their ability to develop and implement an effective workforce training program, with an emphasis on serving New Jersey’s overburdened communities,” said NJEDA Vice President of Offshore Wind Jen Becker. “These training programs will provide a pathway to high-skilled, good-paying job opportunities and position individuals for long-term career success.”