SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the center of a new workforce development and training program for New Jersey’s emerging offshore wind energy industry.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is providing nearly $4 million to train the next generation of skilled workers through the Offshore Wind Workforce and Skills Development Grant Challenge.
This money will be available for businesses and schools to train workers, with a focus on people from overburdened and marginalized communities. Jen Becker, managing director at NJEDA’s Wind Institute for Innovation and Training, said the program will tap into the expertise of labor unions and trade schools throughout the state that are experienced in this type of training.
“We don’t have an opportunity every day to essentially build up an industry from scratch, and this is a really unique opportunity here. We want to do so in a way that is providing access and opportunity for all New Jerseyans,” said Becker.
The grant challenge is part of NJEDA’s plan to establish New Jersey’s wind institute, which would coordinate and deploy resources for the emerging industry.
Applications for workforce development grants are only for established organizations, not for individuals. “This is an opportunity to provide grant funding for them to partner and develop these programs,” Becker said, “build on programs that exist today but to tailor them to the offshore wind industry.”
NJEDA will host an informational webinar for the grant challenge on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
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