New Jersey would fund training for meat processing workers

The Labor and Workforce Development Department would run a three-year training pilot through grants to qualified institutions. Qualified participating institutions could include county colleges, county vocational school districts, and other entities the Labor commissioner approves to work with the department. The Labor commissioner would design the program with the Agriculture commissioner, the Secretary of Higher Education, county colleges, and county vocational school districts. Tuition aid is optional and may go only to eligible participants who agree to work in New Jersey for at least two years after finishing training. The bill would take effect immediately if approved, and the pilot would last three years.

The bill would set aside $3 million from the General Fund for the pilot. The money would go to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to carry out the pilot. The appropriation would take effect immediately if the bill is approved.