A4159

An Act concerning veterans, employment, and training and supplementing P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-1 et seq.) and making an appropriation.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. There is established in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development the Military Veteran Career Transition Program to be administered by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to the provisions of this act. The commissioner shall consult with the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, the New Jersey Military Skills Council, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Education and other appropriate State agencies regarding the development, operation and administration of the program. The commissioner shall also consult with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

The program shall provide job placement and job coaching programs for veterans facing difficulties in finding employment. The program shall also provide for collaboration with public and private organizations that provide comprehensive health, employment, and social services to veterans. The purpose of the program shall be to assist veterans in transitioning to a career in civilian life.

2. There is established within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development a separate grant fund to be known as the "Military Veteran Career Transition Grant Fund." The commissioner shall annually dedicate $500,000 to the fund. Employers shall be eligible to apply for a grant of a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. All moneys from the fund shall be expended in grants by the end of each fiscal year.

3. An employer shall submit an application for a grant for customized training of veterans to the commissioner for the commissioner’s review pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1992, c. 43 (C.34:15D-5). The commissioner may provide grantees with moneys from the Military Veteran Career Transition Grant Fund, moneys dedicated to the Office of Customized Training, or a combination of moneys from both sources.

4. The Military Veteran Career Transition Program shall refer veterans that face difficulty finding employment to training programs. Those training programs shall integrate basic skills and occupational training leading to industry-valued credentials and job placement. The programs may be offered through service providers pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1992, c. 43 (C.34:15D-4) or through employers offering training to veterans as provided in paragraph (7) of subsection b. of section 5 of P.L.1992, c. 43 (C.34:15D-5), that receive grants pursuant to section 3 of this act.

5. a. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development shall implement a plan to collect data on the effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs and conditions of veterans facing difficulties finding employment. The plan shall include a system to track participants to determine if they successfully completed training and been placed in jobs. The commissioner shall track and publish data concerning money spent, employers participating, veterans participating, credentials earned, and job placement.

b. Within two years following the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development shall submit to the Governor and the Legislature an evaluation of the Military Veteran Career Transition Program and recommendations to the Legislature that will enable them to better coordinate and improve the effectiveness of the program.

6. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill makes available certain grants to employers of veterans and provides for job training to veterans who are facing difficulties in finding employment.

This bill establishes in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development the Military Veteran Career Transition Program to be administered by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. The bill requires the commissioner to consult with the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, the New Jersey Military Skills Council, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Education and other appropriate State agencies regarding the development, operation and administration of the program, as well as with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The program is to provide job placement and job coaching programs for veterans facing difficulties in finding employment. The program is also required to provide for collaboration with public and private organizations that provide comprehensive health, employment, and social services to veterans. The purpose of the program is to assist veterans in transitioning to a career in civilian life.

The bill establishes within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development a separate grant fund to be known as the "Military Veteran Career Transition Grant Fund." The commissioner is required to annually dedicate $500,000 to the fund. Employers are eligible to apply for a grant of a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $100,000. All moneys from the fund must be expended in grants by the end of each fiscal year.

Under the bill, an employer may submit an application for a grant for customized training of veterans to the commissioner for the commissioner’s review. The commissioner may provide grantees with moneys from the Military Veteran Career Transition Grant Fund, moneys dedicated to the Office of Customized Training, or a combination of moneys from both sources.

Under the bill, the Military Veteran Career Transition Program is to refer veterans that face difficulty finding employment to training programs. Those training programs must integrate basic skills and occupational training leading to industry-valued credentials and job placement. The programs may be offered through service providers that receive grants from the Workforce Development Partnership Program, or through employers offering training to veterans that receive grants from the Office of Customized Training.

The bill requires the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to implement a plan to collect data on the effectiveness of the program in meeting the needs and conditions of veterans facing difficulties finding employment. The plan must include a system to track participants to determine if they successfully completed training and been placed in jobs. The commissioner must track and publish data concerning money spent, employers participating, veterans participating, credentials earned, and job placement.