T3151 Appendix B - Program Overview.docx

Appendix B: Workforce Program Overview

Office of Apprenticeship Mandated by Federal Law:

Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS): The GAINS program provides New Jersey businesses/organizations or current registered apprenticeship sponsors in targeted sectors with support for new Registered Apprenticeship program development, or existing Registered Apprenticeship programs who seek to expand into new USDOL approved apprenticeable occupations.

Eligible applicants can request funding to offset administrative costs incurred creating the Registered Apprenticeship Program, costs incurred for training the new apprentice, and provides a 50% wage reimbursement for the first six months of newly hired apprentices’ employment for occupations paying a starting wage of at least $16/hour.

Pre-Apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE): The mission of the PACE program is to better align secondary, post-secondary, adult education, and occupational training to meet the labor demands unique to New Jersey and develop career pathways that lead to economically sustainable wages. Pre-Apprenticeship programs funded through the PACE program will provide education and training that leads to one of the following outcomes: 1) Admission into a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program; 2) Admission into a post-secondary college, or occupation-specific career training; or 3) Employment with a starting wage of not lower than $15 per hour.

Eligible applicants can apply for funding through the PACE program for costs associated with a pre-apprenticeship program that has a documented partnership with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor and together, expands the participant’s career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction. Allowed costs include personnel expenses, instructor costs, non-personnel costs, pre-apprentice training, supplies and materials, and other direct costs as outlined within the Notice of Grant Opportunity. Applicants may also include stipends for participants of the program based on participants reaching program milestones.

Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW): The mission of the YTTW program is to recruit, screen and facilitate effective transitions of high school juniors, seniors, and Out of School Youth (ages 16-24) to high-skill, high-wage employment in labor demand occupations, with long-term career potential and opportunities for occupationally relevant lifelong learning, thereby motivating youth to greater success in secondary and post-secondary education. Programs funded are expected to establish YTTW programs in new apprenticeship occupations or industries, link secondary education and higher educational institutions to existing USDOL apprenticeship programs, reactivate registered programs that are not currently in use, and increase the number of high school graduates entering Registered Apprenticeship programs in NJ.

Eligible applicants can apply for funding through the YTTW program for personnel expenses, costs associated with the development of marketing/promotional materials, costs to prepare articulations agreements with institutions of higher education, curriculum development, support services, and aptitude testing.

NJ Pathways Leading Apprentices to a College Education (NJPLACE 2.0): The NJPLACE 2.0 program provides funding to organizations to create a degree apprenticeship structure that integrates on-the-job learning with credit-bearing classroom education and the broad knowledge at the heart of the requirements for an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. Student Apprentices will be able to simultaneously fulfill the requirements of a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program and the requirements for an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree while still earning a living, or, following the successful completion of a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program, through credits awarded pursuant to a prior learning assessment.

NJPLACE 2.0 is intended to provide grant funding for two models of Degree Apprenticeship:

· Dual Education Degree Apprenticeship Model- This model integrates attributes of college degree programs and Registered Apprenticeship programs to create simultaneous participation in both. Applicants receive college credit for career-oriented classroom training as well as work-based learning and have the opportunity to graduate with both a degree and a nationally recognized credential.

· Degree Apprenticeship through Prior Learning Assessment Model- In this model, assessments are conducted to award college credit to apprentices for prior work based learning and demonstrable competencies. This model helps to reduce the amount of time an apprentice needs to complete a Registered Apprenticeship program.

Eligible applicants can apply for funding through the NJPLACE 2.0 program for costs associated with conducting prior learning assessments, personnel costs, tuition reimbursement for on-the-job training or related technical instruction, consultant fees, and a 50% wage reimbursement for newly hired apprentices’ employment for occupations paying a starting wage of at least $15/hour.

New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD): The New Jersey Builders Utilization Initiative for Labor Diversity (NJBUILD) is one of several state programs for training women and minorities in the construction trades administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL). Funding for NJBUILD is provided through the annual Appropriations Act and P.L. 2009, c. 335. These laws ensure that all members of the public are afforded the opportunity to benefit from the economic recovery funds and associated State spending, and that every public contract, whether for construction services, goods, or other services provides equal employment opportunity for women and minorities. This grant will assist in providing greater opportunities and incentives for individuals by providing occupation specific training, basic skills instruction, workforce readiness (employability skills) instruction and a structured work experience which will emphasize vocational-based training for entry-level skills in the construction trades. The program will seek to facilitate effective transitions by women and minorities to high-skill, high-wage employment in construction related occupations.

Eligible applicants can apply for funding through the NJBUILD program for costs associated with a pre-apprenticeship program that has a documented partnership(s) with USDOL Registered Apprenticeship and/or construction contractors and together, expands the participant’s career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction. Allowed costs include personnel expenses, instructor costs, non-personnel costs, pre-apprentice training, supplies and materials, and other direct costs as outlined within the Notice of Grant Opportunity. Applicants may also include stipends for participants of the program based on participants reaching program milestones.

NJBUILD provides grant funding for two different grant programs:

Women and Minorities in Construction Trades: To assist in providing greater employment opportunities for females and minorities, residing in New Jersey, by providing occupation specific training, workforce readiness/employability, and a structured work experience which will emphasize vocational-based training for entry-level skills in the construction trades. In order to meet the employment needs of existing trade unions and private contractors, this funding will only support partnerships with trade unions and private contractors in the development and provision of pre-apprenticeship training and the placement of individuals with labor unions and private contractors to meet their workforce needs.

Women and Minority Veterans in Construction Trades: To help National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members connect to quality career and training opportunities in the construction industry. This grant is dedicated to providing women and minority veterans with training to prepare them for employment and/or apprenticeships in the construction and building-related trades through the national Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) model.

Business Services Outreach Unit

Business Services Outreach Unit: The Business Services Outreach Unit is comprised of 2 separate group of field Business Reps. The first and primary outreach group are the State Business Services Reps. These staff serve as NJLWD’s single point of contact for marketing the One-Stop Career Center system and any employer incentive programs. They focus on acquiring immediate and future job opening information to assist NJ companies in finding the talent they need. This group also serves as the initial outreach and introduction of One-Stop services under Rapid Response/ WARN Act notice. This role is the chief marketer of the One-Stop Career Center system to New Jersey’s employer community and works in concert with Local area business services plans to ensure cohesive representation of the public workforce system.

The second group of Business Services Representatives are referred to as the Veteran Business Services Representatives. These positions are paid for out of the Jobs for Veteran State Grants or JVSG grant. This group singularly focuses on the issue of Veteran Employment. Nationally the JVSG grant pays for the DVOP & LVER positions. In New Jersey we have converted the once part-time LVER into a full-time Vet BSR. In this role the Vet BSR’s cover multiple counties. They meet with businesses like any other BSR but focus on Veteran Employment initiatives. They partner with local staff who serve Veterans in the public workforce system pipeline to understand their placement needs and then work through their connections to connect appropriate candidates to employers.

Both groups of BSR’s work in tandem with our OJT Contract writing staff to create a cohesive localized team of State staff assisting all WDB areas in serving local employer needs.

New Jersey Industry Partnerships

New Jersey Industry Partnerships Unit: Industry Partnerships (IPs) are a vehicle to mobilize a critical mass of business leaders from in the same region and the same industry to collaborate and lead public partners in efforts work together to make their industry more competitive, and to better align workforce development, education, and economic development efforts to meet industry demands. IPs offer a focused approach to building a skilled workforce and an effective way to align public and private resources to address the talent needs of individual businesses which strengthens unique opportunity to deepen industry engagement and develop collaborative, responsive solutions that strengthen industries in the Garden State.

As business-driven partnerships, they are focused on what business leaders are personally committed to championing and moving forward. For business leaders sector partnerships serve as a place to efficiently and effectively collaborate with industry peers and public partners to tackle common issues that impact the sector’s competitiveness—the need for a skilled workforce, infrastructure improvements, supply chain coordination and others. Industry Partnerships are focused on long-term relationships between businesses and public partners. They do not dissolve after a short-term need is met or funding dissolves. By placing businesses in the center of the partnership and focusing on what matters most to them, Next Gen Industry Partnerships keep businesses engaged over time.

Adult Literacy

Overview of Title II, Workforce Learning Link, Community Library Grant

1. Title II -Adult Education & Family Literacy Act of WIOA

1. Serving approx. 13k NJ adult students annually.

1. WIOA Title II seeks to ensure that state and local service providers offer adult education and skills development programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among American workers, including immigrants and individuals with limited English language skills. The Title II funds can be used for activities assisting eligible adults (16 years and older) with obtaining postsecondary education, training, or employment. Specifically, the funds serve people with barriers to employment, including English language learners, low-income individuals, and immigrants. National Reporting System tables are populated via LACES.

1. Workforce Learning Link (WLL)

1. Meant to be a short-term adult education program for clients waiting to enter a program or for those in need of specific skills, such a computer basics, financial literacy, ESL etc.

1. The WLLs are co-located in many One-Stops throughout the state.

1. Serves approx. 2200 individuals annually.

1. Community Library & Career Pathway Grant Program

Opportunity Partnership Grants (OPG)

Opportunity Partnership Grants (OPG): The purpose of the Opportunity Partnership Grant program is to assist dislocated workers secure employment by providing high-quality occupational training in-demand industry sectors recognized and driven by employer’s needs. The ultimate goal of the Opportunity Partnership Grant program is to re-connect eligible dislocated jobseekers with gainful employment opportunities. The Opportunity Partnership Grant is funded by the state’s Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP). Approved training programs fall within one of the state’s targeted industry sectors or in a labor demand occupation determined by the local area Workforce Development Board.

Innovation and Research Fellowship Program (IRFP)

Innovation and Research Fellowship Program (IRFP): The Innovation and Research Fellowship Program (IRFP) is designed to help New Jersey’s startup businesses and provide encouragement to established businesses to continue driving innovation; as well as, to encourage Ph.D. candidates (degree within 12 months) and graduates (received a Ph.D. degree within the past 12 months) to continue their research in fellowship with New Jersey’s science and technology companies. The IRFP grant monies are used by the employer primarily as salary to the fellow researcher. Research fellowship grants may be issued for up to two years each and used primarily for research and innovation. The Department believes placement of fellows in New Jersey companies can build stronger collaboration between the University and the Business and help transfer technology and/or university expertise to the marketplace. The IRFP is funded by the state’s Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDPP).

Re-Entry

Special Workforce Initiatives Special Workforce Initiatives is comprised of the following programs: Reentry Services, Parolee Employment Placement Program (PEPP), Federal Bonding Program, and Mental Health First Aid

The purpose of these programs is to assist ex-offenders become productive, self-sufficient citizens contributing to their community and supporting their families. The purpose is also to reduce the recidivism rate and resulting costs to society. Helping each offender benefits not only the offender but also has a ripple effect on their families and the community.

We envision that every prisoner released meets with the One-Stop Offender Specialist and is offered appropriate services and that every prisoner released receives all of the information and supports needed to reenter society and employment.

We will accomplish this through the initiatives outlined in our Strategic Plan and the associated budget, including training of our Offender Specialists, creation of a toolkit, regular conference calls with Offender Specialists, administration of the PEPP NGO and contracts, continuing administration of the Federal Bonding Program, hiring of three regional Reentry Specialists, and through collaborations with our partners and reentry stakeholders.

Customized Training (UpSkills, Incumbent Worker Training)

Customized Training Unit: This program serves NJ Businesses by providing cost reimbursement funding to train incumbent workers in the skills needed by their employers. The goals are to upskill /reskill incumbent workers in an effort to create sustained employment and business operations. Awarded grants work on a 50-50 cost share principle. Number of awards and employees impacted are based on available funding.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)/Workforce 55+

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)/WorkForce 55+(WF55+) SCSEP/WF55+ is authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act. The Program is a community service and work-based training program for older workers which provides subsidized, community service-based training for low-income persons 55 or older who are unemployed and have poor employment prospects. It is one of the only state programs that provides employment supports for New Jersey older workers.

The program services approximately 331+ participants yearly and operates in the following eleven counties: Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Sussex, and Union. SCSEP/WorkForce 55+ is 100% federally funded. The program is awarded $2.65 million yearly to ensure program implementation and continuation.

Opioid Initiative

Pathways to Recovery (Opioid Initiative) The goal of Pathways to Recovery is to: Increase unsubsidized employment and retention opportunities for opioid use disorder (OUD) impacted individuals; provide training to participants; engage employers to increase unsubsidized employment opportunities; and promote retention and sobriety to help mitigate the opioid crisis.

Trade Act

Trade Act Unit: The Trade Act program provides re-employment services to workers who have been adversely affected by foreign trade.

Funding for TAA is 100% federal and is not part of WIOA. The TAA program receives approximately $5-8 million per year.

Workforce Field Services

Workforce Field Services (WFS): provides job search assistance to more than 100,000 customers each year. Services are delivered through a network of One-Stop Career Centers throughout the State of New Jersey. Approximately 280 WFS professionals staff the state’s 29 One-Stop Career Centers with expertise in serving sub-populations of jobseekers with unique and diverse needs. Sub-populations include Unemployment Insurance Claimants, Public Assistance recipients, Veterans, Older Workers, Youth, Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, Low-Literate and Limited English Proficiency individuals, and Ex-Offenders. Services depend on the needs of the jobseekers but generally include assessment, employment planning, referral to supportive services, literacy skills training, and for those lacking marketable job skills, training in labor demand occupations leading to economic self-sufficiency. Job search assistance is provided one-on-one and in groups. Group activities branded under the Jersey Job Clubs offer workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, using technology in the job search, and networking.

WFS also provides guidance and oversight to New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development grantees primarily funded under Title 1 and Title 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) and NJ’s Workforce Development Partnership Program (WDP).

Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) The Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program provides federal funding through a formula grant for states to hire veteran dedicated staff. JVSG staff members provide individualized labor exchange services to eligible veterans and eligible persons with significant barriers to employment (SBE). NJ funds two veteran dedicated titles under the JVSG program: Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (DVOPs) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVERS).

The LVERs in NJ serve the role of Veteran Business Representatives (VBRs). They are part of the state’s Business unit. VBRs conduct outreach to employers to advocate for the hiring of veterans.

DVOPs work exclusively with veterans and eligible persons with SBEs. They provide intensive case management services to assist veterans and eligible persons with overcoming SBEs.

DVOP and LVER (VBR) roles and responsibilities are defined in 38 U.S.C. §4103A for DVOP specialists and 38 U.S.C. §4104 for LVER staff.

Tuition Waiver Program The Tuition Waiver program allows certain unemployed individuals to attend a public institution of higher education in the state of New Jersey tuition-free on a space available basis. Applicants must be assessed by a One-Stop Career Center counselor for eligibility. Courses must be preapproved by a One-Stop counselor and incorporated into an Individual Employment Plan. Once approved by the One-Stop counselor, the Tuition Waiver applicant is referred to the public college or university for enrollment. N.J.S.A. 18A: 64-13.1 et seq. or 18A: 64A-23.1 enacted the NJ Tuition Waiver Program.

Workforce New Jersey/SNAP

OVERVIEW

The Department of Human Services' Division of Family Development (DHS/DFD) is the agency responsible for supervising the WFNJ/SNAP program at the State level. WFNJ/SNAP cash assistance and social services are administered at the local level by the 21 county agencies, under DFD supervision, and through various contracts with vendors for certain services. The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) is responsible for WFNJ employment-directed and workforce development activities. Employment-directed and workforce development activities are administered at the local One-Stop Career Centers (OSCC) under LWD supervision. By integrating the WFNJ/SNAP population into the OSCC system, opportunities for self- sufficiency, employment retention and career advancement are maximized.

Among the programs within the agency are WorkFirst New Jersey/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (WFNJ/TANF) and Work First New Jersey/General Assistance (WFNJ/GA) which comprise the state's welfare program and New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP).

SNAP

The NJ SNAP E&T program is administratively structured in both the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) and the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD). New Jersey is a voluntary county administered Employment and Training Program state. The NJ SNAP E&T is coordinated by LWD, Division of Office of Transitional Workforce Services, under guidelines established by the State. In each county, the One Stop Career Centers (OSCC) are responsible for coordinating the flow of information and services that offer a wide range of opportunities for training, skills, and employment. The OSCCs work in collaboration with other agencies including the County Welfare Agency (CWA) and community partnerships that serve NJ SNAP clients.

WFNJ/TANF/GA

New Jersey's WFNJ/TANF program provides cash assistance to eligible needy families with children. In addition to cash assistance benefits, WFNJ provides a variety of supports to enable families to obtain and/or retain employment. These supports include but are not limited to medical assistance through NJ Family Care/Medicaid, childcare, transportation, work activity allowances, substance abuse treatment, parenting and nutritional education services, as well as assistance to past or present survivors of family violence.

The program provides parents with job preparation, work experience, training, and support services to enable them to leave the cash assistance program and become self-sufficient. WFNJ also provides post-TANF support services to income-eligible working families.

New Jersey is one of only a few states that also provides cash benefits and support services to employable and unemployable individuals and couples with no dependent children through our General Assistance (GA) program. The GA program also offers job preparation activities that include work experience and vocational training.

Work First New Jersey OJT

Work First New Jersey OJT program: This program serves out of work customers that are receiving benefits through TANF, GA, SNAP and Parolees (PEPP). How this program helps this customer is by offering employers wage reimbursement for a period of up to 6 months while they train customers from these populations at the new job. This helps offset the employer’s costs of this training as it has been found that our population served often have more barriers to employment, less requisite skills, and/or have been out of the workforce longer than our typical dislocated worker. The goal is to increase the retention rate among our employer partners and get these customers into sustained, long-term employment and off public assistance programs for good.

The funding streams for this program are broken down as follows. They are taken from funds awarded by DHS and the Parole board, respectively to the state:

- TANF (approximately $1,000,000 awarded annually)

- GA/SNAP (approximately $1,800,000 awarded annually)

- PEPP (approximately $250,000 annually)

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Businesses can save up to $4,800 the first year when they hire workers who traditionally face significant barriers to employment. (Veterans, WorkFirst, DVRS, PEPP, SSI, Long-term unemployed

Office of Youth Programs

New Jersey Youth Corps (NJYC): NJYC is a legislatively established year-round, voluntary program that engages young adults (ages 16 to 25) without a high school diploma in full-time community service, training, and educational activities. Guided by staff who serve as mentors and role models, teams of youth called "crews" carry out a wide range of service projects. In return for their efforts to restore and strengthen communities, Corpsmembers receive:

· Education development in basic skills and assistance in obtaining a high school equivalency diploma or locally issued adult high school diploma

· Life skills and employability skills instruction

· Personal and career counseling to build self-esteem, clarify values, and develop leadership skills while developing a career portfolio

· Transition services and continuing support services for transitioning to college, training, employment, or other national and domestic service opportunities

· Community service opportunities, which develop positive employability skills while addressing unmet community needs. Corpsmembers receive a stipend while enrolled in Youth Corps.

NJYC is a $5.3 million initiative funded annually by NJ State Appropriations, TANF and WIOA set-aside.

Bridges to Employing Youth (Bridges): Bridges is designed to bring workforce development services to New Jersey’s out-of-school youth, ages 16 to 24, in four targeted special populations: (1) youth with disabilities; (2) justice-involved youth; (3) youth who are/have aged out of Foster Care; and (4) youth who are pregnant or parenting. Program services will be provided with the intention to fill identified gaps in the practices and systems currently serving each targeted population.

Bridges is a $4 million-dollar initiative with funding made available through TANF and WIOA set-aside.

Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP): SYEP provides in-school and out-of-school youth, ages 16-24, with valuable summer internships in order to help them successfully transition to the world of work. Public and private entities partner to connect young adults to paid internships in high growth industries and occupations that are in line with local area’s plan. During this program, Youth receive 35 hours of workforce readiness training included within their 200 hours of work experience over a consecutive eight-week period.

The SYEP is a $3.9 million-dollar initiative with funding made available through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Set-Aside and WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) funding streams.

Clean Energy Employment and Training Partnership Grant (CEETP): The purpose of this grant will be to support the development of a clean energy workforce and the empowerment of New Jersey’s overburdened communities to enter the clean energy workforce through targeted employment and training services, such as workforce readiness and financial literacy instruction, wrap-around supportive services, job coaching, and job placement services. This grant will also provide opportunities for intensive employment and training services such as occupation skills trainings resulting in industry recognized credentials and needs-based On-the-Job Training (OJT) placements with employers intended to bridge participants into sustainable unsubsidized employment.

The CEETP is a $1.5 million-dollar initiative with funding made available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Set-Aside funding.

Bid Solicitation 25DPP01053