Writer: Victor Cabrera
2 min read November 2022 — With National Apprenticeship Week currently underway, New Jersey has expanded its investment in labor and apprenticeship programs that benefit businesses across the state.
Across the U.S., recruitment and retention of quality talent has been a key challenge, from healthcare to construction and information technology. According to a 2022 report by the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, “nearly 34% of New Jersey businesses reported difficulty hiring employees,” about 4% higher than the national average.
“Apprenticeship programs play a critical role in the strength of our state’s workforce and have consistently proven to be a vital solution to developing talent in areas where we need it most,” New Jersey Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said in a press release on Monday. In light of this, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has expanded the scope of these programs by announcing the availability of increased funding for initiatives such as the Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) grant program.
Apprenticeship programs are designed to increase opportunities for cooperation between the government, educational, and industry sectors. PACE programs have required buy-in from educational bodies, such as the New Jersey Community College Consortium (NJCCC), in order to expose students to expanded career opportunities. Once students express interest in an industry, they are matched with willing industry partners that take them on and facilitate crucial technical training. Rosario Viizzari, CEO of Ramsey’s Wythe Windows and PACE partner employer with NJCCC, said, “This program is helping us fulfill our workforce shortage needs and it’s also helpful that the pre-apprentices we hire come with basic machining skills because of the training they receive at the college.”
Apprenticeships are one of the many tools that economic planners are using to combat a pressing challenge in the current economy. James Masterson, executive director of the Greater Union Township Chamber of Commerce, told Invest:, “Creating internships, apprenticeships and actual physical employment is what we’re hoping to do moving ahead in 2023. We know that the employment shortage is real.” As an example, Masterson added, “The Chamber still must hold many of its Board and Committee meetings virtually — not because folks are afraid of COVID — but because they are understaffed and can’t leave the office.”
In 2022, New Jersey distributed $6,749,000 through three grant programs that resulted in 24 contracts awarded under these programs and contributed to the recruitment of 1,214 apprentices.
As economic planners, chambers of commerce and businesses look to secure new talent, apprenticeships will potentially provide a good opportunity to build a more skilled workforce as well as increase dialogue between communities and different sectors of the economy.
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