TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is launching a monthlong series of events to highlight apprenticeship programs and expand workforce development opportunities across the state.
April is recognized as Apprenticeship Month in New Jersey, aligning with National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from April 26 through May 2 and is observed by the U.S. Department of Labor.
State officials said events will be held statewide by employers, organizations and educational institutions, including Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey Health Care Employers District 1199J and the Essex County Schools of Technology.
“The apprenticeship model has a proven history of connecting workers to meaningful careers, and we are leveraging this to open doors in emerging industries across New Jersey,” said Acting Labor Commissioner Kevin D. Jarvis. “By adapting this time-tested approach to meet workforce demands, we are ensuring that the apprenticeship model continues to serve as a bridge between learning and earning for generations of workers to come.”
Since the creation of the NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship in 2018, the state has invested about $115 million in grant funding to support apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. Officials said the investment has led to more than 1,000 new registered apprenticeship programs, a 170% increase, along with 27,693 newly onboarded apprentices and more than 10,800 currently active participants across 1,639 programs.
Recent funding includes eight manufacturing sector grants totaling more than $2.3 million and 34 healthcare sector grants totaling nearly $15.9 million.
The Office of Apprenticeship also supports programs such as Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors, Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education and Youth Transitions to Work, which aim to connect workers and students to training and career opportunities while addressing barriers such as childcare and transportation.
In addition, the state has funded initiatives through partnerships with higher education and other agencies, including a $5 million agreement with Thomas Edison State University to create college-credit pathways for apprentices and an $800,000 teacher apprenticeship program developed with the New Jersey Department of Education.
“By partnering with the New Jersey and Federal Departments of Labor through this landmark grant, Ramapo College is turning the ‘earn-and-learn’ dream into a reality for the dedicated paraprofessionals who are already the heart of our classrooms,” said Dr. Adam Fried, assistant dean of teacher education at Ramapo College. “As the state’s first registered teacher apprenticeship provider, we aren’t just filling vacancies, we are empowering our own local talent to nearly double their earning potential while pursuing their passion for teaching. This investment allows us to strengthen the educator pipeline with experienced professionals who deeply know their communities, ensuring that every student in New Jersey is met by a highly trained, certified teacher who is ready to inspire the next generation.”
