NJ S3593

Businesses partnering with schools, colleges, or nonprofits to create pre-employment training programs may receive a 100% tax credit on their financial contributions to these programs, capped at $2 million statewide per fiscal year.

Training programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid instruction (at minimum wage) covering math/English literacy, communication skills, critical thinking, resume preparation, and job readiness skills, targeting low- and moderate-income households.

Participants must be at least 16 years old, and eligibility cannot be based on possession of a high school diploma; programs must offer employment with the sponsoring business upon successful completion.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development reviews and approves training plans, which must prepare individuals for labor demand occupations with long-term career potential; construction trade businesses are excluded from participation.

Educational institutions and nonprofits must report participant completion rates and employment outcomes at 3, 6, and 9 months following program completion, and the Department of State must conduct an efficacy study two years after enactment.