New Jersey Assembly Bill A1641

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Increases reporting requirements for the NJ Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth.

Impact

The primary impact of A1641 is the requirement for more rigorous data analysis regarding the effectiveness of basic skills training programs funded through a designated Supplemental Workforce Fund. By requiring pre-training and post-training assessments on wages and employment outcomes, the bill aims to provide legislators and policymakers with valuable insights into the long-term effectiveness of training initiatives. This could potentially influence future funding and program development decisions.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1641 seeks to enhance the reporting and accountability requirements for New Jersey's Basic Skills Training Program for Economic Growth. The bill aims to amend existing legislation, specifically P.L.2001, c.152, to ensure that the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development provides more comprehensive annual reports. These reports are expected to include detailed analyses of how the training programs impact wages and employment status of workers who are displaced, disadvantaged, or employed.

Contention

While the bill is likely to receive support for the intent to improve worker outcomes, there may be contention regarding the administrative burden it places on the New Jersey Community College Consortium and associated training providers. Critics could argue that the new requirements may add layers of complexity to their operations, which could detract from their primary focus on delivering effective training. There is also a consideration of the logistics involved in collecting and analyzing employment data, which could present challenges for both workers and training providers.