The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has recently announced the allocation of around $1 million in grant funds to increase the amount of degree-based apprenticeship programs that will follow the apprenticeship model of paid on-the-job training to go along with credit-based classroom instruction. What sets the degree model apart from a traditional apprenticeship is that the degree apprenticeship model pairs apprenticeship programs with institutions of higher education to give participants the opportunity to simultaneously complete the requirements of a Registered Apprenticeship as well as be on track to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree by earning college credits for their paid work-based learning. A Degree Apprenticeship provides a direct line from the classroom to a full-time career. These programs help to eliminate the hard choice many students face of having to choose between their education and career aspirations to earn a paycheck. This new model will enable participants to do both at the same time.
“Investments made today help build our state’s workforce of tomorrow. It’s imperative that we connect individuals, including those who are financially disadvantaged and from underrepresented communities to opportunities in high-growth industries. Degree apprenticeship programs allow students to gain valuable career experience and compensation, all while continuing to pursue a degree. The overall return on investment will yield well-rounded graduates and a highly skilled workforce.”
New Jersey Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex)
This groundbreaking program was developed in 2004 to remove the countless barriers between the academic side of vocational education and other forms of higher education and was launched in 2020 as part of Governor Murphy’s JobsNJ initiative. This initiative was a talent-focused economic development plan to help re-establish New Jersey’s leadership in the innovation economy. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent explaining their interest in the grant by February 25th, and applications must be received no later than noon on March 4th. A planned partnership between employer and degree-granting post-secondary institution applicants will be required. The set-aside funds will be used to cover direct costs of the Degree Apprenticeship program, including on-the-job training tuition and wages, related technical instruction tuition, and cost reimbursement for prior learning assessments coming out to around $7,500 per participant.
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