Focus NJ's Workforce Development Initiatives & Opportunities

• Essex County

CareerWorks

• Business Services

The Greater Newark Workforce Funders Collaborative develops employer-led or employer-centric workforce partnerships in growth industries to advance economic development.

• Passaic County

Community Work Experience Program

• Business Services

This program provides approved non-profits with qualified candidates, entry-level staff transitioning from welfare to work free of cost to employers for up to 6 months, including Workers’ Compensation.

• Passaic County

WorkFirst New Jersey On-the-Job Training Program (Passaic County)

• Business Services

This program defrays salary cost of new hires for training by reimbursing 50-90% of new hires payroll up to 6 months. In addition, the WorkFirst New Jersey On-the-Job Training (OJT) employers are reimbursed up to half a new hire’s gross wages to a maximum of 26 weeks to assist with funding an employee’s training program.

• Passaic County

Customized Training Grants

• Business Services

Typically, these grants are available through the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development to help improve your employees’ skills and meet the company’s business needs. The customized training program is designed to benefit both employees and businesses by enhancing the skills of your workers, thereby increasing productivity and competitiveness. The grants are awarded monthly on a competitive basis and can be utilized for on-the-job or classroom training.

• Passaic County

Literacy Skills Training Grants

• Business Services

These grants are available to improve your employees’ English language proficiency, reading comprehension, communication, math, and computer literacy skills.

• Passaic County

Registered Apprenticeship Program (Passaic County)

• Business Services

Receive up to $5,000 for each new or current employee participating in a registered apprenticeship and receives on-the-job classroom training.

• Morris County

On the Job Training (Atlantic County)

• Business Services

On the Job Training provides a 70% wage reimbursement to offset the cost of training new or existing employees while working on the job. In most cases, the training is provided by experienced workers or supervisors. (Up to $6,000 per trainee)

• Morris County

Customized Training (Atlantic County)

• Business Services

Customized Training training provided to meet a specific skill need of an employer. This training is usually provided as a cohort training and is offered as a contracted service, usually through the local community college. (Up to $5,000 per trainee)

• Morris County

Incumbent Worker Training (Atlantic County)

• Business Services

This training can be provided to existing employees in order to create a more skilled worker to improve an industry's ability to compete and prevent the potential for worker layoffs. (Funding can include 50% of training cost, up to $5,000 per trainee)

• Morris County

Registered Apprenticeship Programs (Atlantic County)

• Business Services

The Atlantic County Workforce Development Board is an approved intermediary of the USDOL Office of Apprenticeship. They assist in the development and funding of registered apprenticeship programs for the internal development and expansion of existing businesses.

• Bergen County

On-the-Job Training (Bergen County)

• Business Services

Provides reimbursement of 50% - 90% of a new-hire salary for up to 6 months to help defray the costs of training.

• Bergen County

Positive Recruitment

• Business Services

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development offers assistance recruiting qualified workers.

• Bergen County

Recovery4Jersey

• Business Services

Recovery4Jersey helps you rebuild your business by allowing you to hire the people you need to do the work you need done. To offset your hiring costs, this on-the-job training for a specific skills set. To participate your new hires must be unemployed New Jerseyans, currently receiving unemployment benefits, or exhausted their benefits. Workers must be paid $10 an hr or more. Positions must be full-time or long -term employment.

• Bergen County

Skills4Jersey (Bergen County)

• Business Services

The New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development offers competitively awarded training funds to help businesses develop industry specific solutions to the workforce training challenges they encounter. The Bergen County One-Stop Career Center is available to assist businesses with grant applications as well as to administer customized training to companies.

• Bergen County

Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Program

• Business Services

Manufacturing employers with up to 450 employees may be eligible for financial resources to upgrade the skills of employees working in the production of goods. One-time grants of up to $5,000 are available for each employee completing 52 weeks of employment as an apprentice under the Registered Apprenticeship Incentive Program.

• Cumberland County

On-the-Job Training (Cumberland County)

• Business Services

Employers who hire for full-time positions that pay $15.13 per hour (COUNTY) $16 per hour (STATE) or more are reimbursed 50% of the salary (capped at $6000-COUNTY & $10,000-STATE) for agreeing to provide training for a period of UP TO 26 weeks to an unemployed jobseeker or a public assistance recipient.

• Mercer County

One Stop Business Services

• Business Services

The One-Stop Career Center provides a number of services to businesses across Mercer County. The office aims to connect employers with job seekers. The One-Stop Career Center also works to enhance the skills and training of the Mercer County workforce.

• Mercer County

On-the-Job Training (Mercer County)

• Business Services

This program provides an incentive to businesses allowing employers to receive up to 50 percent reimbursement of a new employee’s wages for a maximum amount of $4,000 over a maximum period of six months, depending upon the complexity of the job and the employees’ current skills. OJT allows for the custom training of new employees, thereby offsetting employer training costs while assisting the employee to acquire the skills necessary to satisfy job requirements.

• Morris County

NJMEP Business Communications Training

• Business Services - Manufacturing

NJMEP and its extensive resources of communication experts help manufacturers bridge the communication gap. Receive training by experts and watch your team communicate more effectively to meet your business objectives. Training may include: navigating cultural and language barriers; effective business writing; visual communication coaching; developing effective messaging and materials; conflict management; and, understanding communication methods and media.

Corporate Client Training Services

• Business Services - Transportation/Logistics/Distribution (TLD)

The Corporate client service programs range from ASSESSMENT to CDL Training and Licensing as well as DOT Compliance, Forklift Certification and OSHA Safety training for Industrial clients. For the Corporate fleet drivers, there is a Defensive Driving Course that includes National Safety Council certification for each participant who passes the final exam. Having your drivers annually certified can help reduce liability and loss claims due to accidents and may even qualify your company for insurance discounts (need to check with your insurance provider for more details). For School and School District our School Bus Driver Training program can be customizing to meet our demands.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Essex County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hunterdon County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Morris County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Morris County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Morris County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Morris County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Morris County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Hudson County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Essex County

Bright Horizons Workforce Education

• Business Services - Education

Bright Horizons offers organization-wide education support, working directly with employers to address their specific talent challenges, from hard-to-fill roles to emerging skills gaps. Bright Horizons can: target the education needs of a specific employee group or position; support frontline employees by removing financial and other barriers to education; meet regulatory requirements through education and training; match employees to best-fit programs, from certificates to MBAs.

• Camden County

The Camden Dream Center Registered Apprenticeship Program

• Business Services - Technology

The Camden Dream Center Technology Training School is now a U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)-approved Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor. The Camden Dream Center offers a turn-key option for employers interested in having a flexible, competency-based registered apprenticeship program for Cybersecurity Support Technicians or Networking Technicians without having to take on the responsibility of sponsorship. Each program is approximately 12-18 months; as a Cisco Networking Academy they provide all required technical training. Or Become an Apprenticeship Program Hiring Partner! As a hiring partner you provide paid, on-the-job learning for apprentices. As the program sponsor we provide administrative oversight, technical training, ongoing apprentice support.

• Mercer County

UPSKILL: NJ Incumbent Worker Training Grant Program

• Business Services

The purpose of the UPSKILL: NJ Incumbent Worker Training Grant program is to provide New Jersey-based employers up to 50% cost reimbursement assistance to train incumbent frontline employees to meet current and future occupational skill requirements. Grant funds are not intended for company-required annual training or new-employee orientation training.

• Gloucester County

Business Resource Center (Gloucester County)

• Business Services

The Gloucester County Business Resource Center (BRC) helps provide business solutions to small and mid-size employers in Gloucester County. The BRC will assist with workforce development requirements associated with recruitment and training. The BRC staff will help assess your business needs and refer you to the appropriate resources. BRC's relationships with State and local economic development agencies, community development agencies, and community organizations can help your business understand the wide range of assistance that is available. Employers may post job opportunities, read resumes, obtain information on unemployment and disability insurance, and learn about free seminars and training for employees.

• Gloucester County

Employee Training Grants

• Business Services

As a division of Workforce Grant and Program Management, Customized Training offers grant funding to train New Jersey workers.

• Monmouth County

Business Services

• Business Services

The Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development Employer Business Services team provides free services to area businesses. The Business Services team works with local businesses to assist with their Human Resource needs including help with recruiting qualified workers, accessing industry and labor market information, and navigating County and State programs and services. The Business Services team can help a company that is already in business, just starting out, or expanding.

• Morris County

On-the-Job Training Program (Morris/Sussex/Warren County)

• Business Services

On-the-Job Training (OJT) is a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) federally-funded program that helps employers hire and train qualified unemployed workers for full-time, long term employment. An excellent vehicle for individuals to build or enhance their job skills while earning pay wages.

New Jersey Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Collaborative (NJ-ATAC)

• Business Services

In spring 2023, the Council (NJCCC), with support from the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) launched an initiative to develop and administer the NJ Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Collaborative (A-TAC). A-TAC is a statewide initiative that supports technical assistance for the growth and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs while promoting best in class diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. This effort is supported by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and Jobs for the Future (JFF), nationally recognized experts in Registered Apprenticeship Programs.