Researchers at the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development are highlighting the role of apprenticeships in meeting labor market needs related to New Jersey's clean-energy transition. This initiative aligns with the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week and aims to demonstrate how green jobs, concentrated in environmental infrastructure and energy efficiency, require hands-on training and technical skills.
Recent studies by the Heldrich Center indicate that apprenticeships can equip workers with necessary skills to assist stakeholders in implementing the clean-energy transition in New Jersey. These programs offer paid education and career pathways, particularly benefiting disadvantaged groups often excluded from high-quality employment opportunities.
A report titled "New Jersey’s Energy-Efficiency Workforce Needs, Infrastructure, and Equity Assessment," released in spring 2024, includes strategic recommendations for expanding federally registered apprenticeships within New Jersey's energy-efficiency sector. The report stresses collaboration between employers and educational providers to ensure apprentices acquire relevant knowledge, skills, and credentials to meet industry demands. The focus is on recruiting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to address energy equity.
Additionally, a workforce planning analysis for "New Jersey’s Priority Climate Action Plan" suggests creating apprenticeships centered on career readiness across six priority areas: buildings, electric generation, halogenated gases, food waste, natural lands, and transportation. The plan proposes utilizing the New Jersey Apprenticeship Network to develop new apprenticeship programs tailored to these areas.
The reports emphasize that stakeholders involved in the clean-energy transition can leverage apprenticeships to prepare future workers with essential expertise. Targeted recruitment among disadvantaged groups can ensure equitable access to quality green jobs as New Jersey moves toward clean energy.
