To find new employees, help train your current employees and learn more about New Jersey's Workforce programs, go to Workforce Training and Programs.

Customize Training, Literacy / Basic Skill

The Customized Training was established in 1992 and is a powerful development tool designed to create and retain high-skill, high-wage private sector jobs in New Jersey as a means to ensure a productive, globally competitive workers. The Customized Training Office Program provides the following services:

• Offers financial incentives for worker training to help create new jobs or retain jobs in New Jersey.
• Assists companies in becoming more competitive in the domestic and international markets.
• Recommends skills training programs and customize them to provide maximum benefit to businesses.
• Provides training grants for occupational safety and health training.
• Provides training grants for basic literacy skills including English as a second language.
• Serves as liaison with other state agencies that promote job retention or expansion.

Potential eligible applicants for a Customized Training Grant or Literacy / Basic Skill Program include:

• Individual employers.
• An employer organization, labor organization or community-based organization.
• A consortium of one or more educational institutions, individual employers, or labor, employer and community-based organizations that seek to address training needs within a particular industry.
• Individual applications or consortium applications for qualified displaced and/or disadvantaged workers for basic skills services, as long as there is a written commitment from an employer(s) leading to future employment.

WIRED goes beyond traditional strategies for worker preparation by bringing together state, local and federal entities; academic institutions (including K-12, community colleges and universities); investment groups; foundations; and business and industry to address the challenges associated with building a globally competitive and prepared workforce.

Grants are provided to regional partnerships recognizing that labor markets often transcend political and geographic boundaries.

In February 2006, following a Solicitation for Grant Applications, the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) announced 13 regions that comprise the WIRED 1st Generation. First Generation regions face various challenges in economic development and sustainability including: remaining competitive with a global workforce; managing existing growth opportunities; and creating a more innovative economy by focusing on developing small business. First Generation WIRED Regions were awarded $15 million over three years to revitalize their local economy.

In April, 2006, ETA added 13 additional regions, then known as the Virtual Regions. These regions received a $100,000 planning grant, were invited to participate in all WIRED related activities and were given access to the tools and resources developed. In January 2007, these regions became the 2^nd Generation Regions and received an investment of $500,000. This investment supports the development of a comprehensive implementation plan. Upon completion and acceptance of this plan, each region will receive an additional $4.5 million investment over a three year period.

To learn more about New Jersey's workforce training grant programs or to learn about the qualification requirements call 866-534-7789.