(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblymen Vince Mazzeo, Bob Andrzejczak and Tom Giblin to help displaced casino workers prepare to re-enter the workforce received final legislative approval on Thursday.
The bill (A-4103) establishes a program, the Education Initiative for Former Casino Workers, which dedicates 5 percent of the 25 percent of reserved funds for displaced worker training collected for the Workforce Development Partnership Fund to training and educational instruction to individuals who were employed by a casino in the previous two years or are currently employed and have received a notice of layoff.
It was approved 39-1 by the Senate and 50-12-1 by the Assembly.
“Just as much as this legislation is about helping these workers pursue a new career path as individuals, it’s also about restoring the region’s economy overall,” said Mazzeo (D-Atlantic).”This is an unparalleled opportunity, working in a bipartisan manner, to help transform Atlantic City. We must capitalize on this now for the sake of our hard-working middle-class families across South Jersey.”
“Revitalizing the Atlantic City area starts with investing in people. By preparing former casino workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue in-demand occupations, this legislation will help get the region on the right track,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “The faster we get people back to work, the faster we can see families and communities in and around Atlantic City reach their full potential.”
“Thousands of workers in Atlantic City suddenly found themselves out of a job last year, and as we work together to attract new businesses to New Jersey, we need to prepare these men and women to take on emerging opportunities,” said Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic). “This legislation will help equip displaced casino workers to succeed in today’s job market.”
Under the bill, the department will screen eligible participants in the Education Initiative for Former Casino Workers for career readiness and develop and facilitate a plan to provide the training and education needed for these individuals to begin, or transition to, a new career.
The department will enable eligible individuals to complete training and educational instruction at a county college, an approved training provider or a county vocational school district.
Any additional costs found acceptable by the department, such as tuition, books, lab fees, and transportation, will also be funded.
The Education Initiative for Former Casino Workers will accept new participants for three years after the bill’s enactment, except that new enrollees will not be accepted if the Atlantic County unemployment rate falls below 5 percent for a three month period.
Participants may access initiative funding up to four years after enrollment.
The bill now goes to the governor.
