Gov. Mikie Sherrill, acting Labor Commissioner Kevin Jarvis, and federal officials marked National Apprenticeship Week on Apr. 27 at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory by highlighting the country’s first registered apprenticeship program in fusion energy and engineering.
The event drew attention to workforce development in clean energy, an area seen as important for both economic growth and technological advancement. The program at PPPL prepares technicians to build and operate fusion reactors, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy and New Jersey’s Department of Labor through its Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors grant initiative.
PPPL is recognized as a United States Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador, currently the only employer with this designation in fusion energy and engineering. It has also become New Jersey’s first employer partner for an artificial intelligence apprenticeship program sponsored by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.
“What is happening at PPPL is national-level workforce development, right here in New Jersey — and this is exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnerships we need to build a strong economy that works for everyone,” Jarvis said.
Sherrill said apprenticeships are not just a workforce priority but are “the cornerstone of New Jersey’s economic future.” She added: “We are committed to empowering Garden State workers with the in-demand, cutting-edge skills that drive innovation and keep our state competitive. Pathways like those at PPPL prove that when we invest in earn-and-learn opportunities, we build more than careers — we build the foundation our state and country will stand on for generations to come.”
Steven Cowley, director of PPPL, said: “This apprenticeship is a model for how we can connect cutting-edge research with real career opportunities right here in New Jersey.”
National Apprenticeship Week runs from April 26 through May 2 nationwide; New Jersey extends recognition throughout April as “Apprenticeship Month.” Participants earn wages from day one with increases tied to skill gains. Programs last one to four years; graduates receive nationally recognized credentials.
Graduates typically start jobs earning $80,000 per year on average after completion; ninety percent remain employed afterward. Over their careers, they may earn $300,000 more than peers who do not follow this path.
For employers—both large and small—apprenticeships provide access to skilled talent while allowing organizations to shape their workforce according to specific needs. This can help instill company culture and improve employee retention while supporting local economies.
Since its establishment in 2018, the NJDOL Office of Apprenticeship has invested about $115 million into developing such programs statewide—resulting in over 1,600 new registered programs (a 170% increase), nearly 28 thousand new apprentices onboarded since then (with over ten thousand active today), plus recent grants totaling over $18 million across manufacturing and healthcare sectors.
