Garden State Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week

NJ Labor Department Joins Events to Demonstrate Murphy Administration’s Gains

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week, which runs November 11-17, and spreading the message of apprenticeship as a valuable, and viable earn-while-you-learn career model.

Since Gov. Murphy took office in January 2018, New Jersey has created 298 new Registered Apprenticeship programs – a 49% increase – and on-boarded 4,313 new apprentices. This brings the total number of active apprentices in the state to 8,253 serving in 909 programs.

“A stronger and fairer New Jersey starts by investing in workforce development that will benefit employers and grow the middle class,” said Governor Murphy. “Through apprenticeship programs, we are providing our residents with the skills they need to thrive and find meaningful careers in high-growth professions that will help bolster our economy.”

“New Jersey is leading the way in our drive to prove that the successful earn-while-you-learn model of apprenticeship conceptualized by the Building Trades works,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “In this short time, we have already proven how this career path can make an impact in health care, science and technology, human resources, and countless other nontraditional sectors, which is mutually beneficial for everyone in the equation.”

“New Jersey is building more on-ramps for success after high school, and it’s all about options,” said Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, Commissioner of Education. “Apprenticeships are one of those avenues for success, and National Apprenticeship Week is a time to highlight the opportunity that apprenticeships provide.”

“All New Jersey students should have the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning opportunity such as an apprenticeship, internship, or co-op program,” said Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis. “These experiences provide an opportunity for students to apply their learning in context, which we know is the best way to create meaningful academic experiences that prepare students for life.”

To support these initiatives, the Department has made grant funds available through its Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) and Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) to help New Jersey businesses start apprenticeship programs that can fulfill their needs, and employ more residents of our state.

Throughout Apprenticeship Week, the Labor Commissioner and NJDOL representatives will participate in the following public events:

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Hunterdon County Polytech

“Meet the Trades”

10 Junction Road, Careers Café, Central Campus, Flemington, NJ

Commissioner to join PACE grant partners in meeting industry-leading

business owners and apprentices.

12:00pm

Union County Vocational Technical High School

“Nursing Meets Automotive and Stage Handlers: Driving Apprenticeships Forward”

1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ

Commissioner will join this apprenticeship meet-and-greet, to hear from

students in the Youth Transitions to Work program from three distinct career paths,

including nursing, diesel mechanic, and stage handler.

4:30pm

. . .

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Middlesex County College

“National Accelerator Health Care Youth Apprenticeship Conference”

2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ

NJDOL will participate in panel discussions on how to build apprenticeships

in the health care industry, including a youth forum.

8:30am

Northeast Carpenters Apprentice Training Fund

“Introduction to an Apprenticeship in the UBC Trades”

75 Fieldcrest Avenue, Edison

Be introduced to the various trades with the UBC through personal tours of the

facility, and learn about the successful career path that a trade apprenticeship brings.

9:00am

Employers Association of New Jersey

“New Jersey Employer Roundtable”

9 Cherry Lane, West Orange, NJ

Learn about New Jersey’s widely acclaimed apprenticeship programs that are

meeting the needs of the Garden State’s key industry sectors.

12:30pm

. . .

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

NJ Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJCAR)

“Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Recognition Day”

856 River Road, Trenton, NJ

Join us as we recognize NJCAR’s first group of apprentices from Middlesex County,

alongside the program’s sponsors, instructions, and participants.

9:00am

NJDOL’s Office of Apprenticeship is the primary contact and technical resource for employers, educational institutions, trade associations, and current/future apprentices for all statewide apprenticeship initiatives. For more information, visit apprenticeship.nj.gov.

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