Assembly Democratic legislation (A-4655) creating a tuition fee waiver for apprenticeship programs and (A-4657) establishing a youth apprenticeship program in Department of Education was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday.
The first measure is sponsored by Assembly members John Armato (D-Atlantic), Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Wayne DeAngelo (D-Mercer, Middlesex). The sponsors issued the following joint statement on the bill:
“The state should have its own action plan to increase diversity in its own apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships are a valuable tool to introduce workers to a trade and get them started on a career path.
“Tuition waivers for those who are eligible will help to attract even more residents to these programs and get more people back to work. They also assist community colleges and high-quality workforce training providers—our educational partners—in facilitating apprenticeship programs in the state.”
Armato, Daniel Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex) and Britnee Timberlake (D-Essex, Passaic) are sponsors of the second measure. The sponsors issued a joint statement on A-4657:
“Organizing a youth apprenticeship pilot program will be a tremendous support to New Jersey schools as they help connect students to the job training and to opportunities pertaining to their interests.
“Some students may not be four-year college bound yet may have aspirations in a trade where they can get started right away as an apprentice. By providing students’ access to industry-focused training and on-the-job learning, we create an affordable and viable pathway to a career for future generations.”