Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Use NJ Training Explorer to find training programs and courses that can prepare you for in-demand jobs in New Jersey.

You can also access over 5,000 no-cost courses on SkillUp New Jersey, a no-cost virtual training platform designed to help jobseekers enhance their skills and earn industry-recognized certifications from top-rated providers like Skillsoft.

Before enrolling in any training program, make an appointment with a One-Stop career counselor. Enrolling in a program without guidance from a career counselor may result in ineligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.

Enrolling in training on your own does not guarantee continued unemployment insurance benefits. If you are attending school or a training program while receiving unemployment insurance benefits, you will have a fact-finding interview with a claims examiner. The examiner will determine if the training is approved and you are eligible for benefits.

Training may be approved when: 

1. The training is for a Labor Demand Occupation and will likely enhance your marketable skills and earning power. These occupations are professions for which there are, or likely will be, more job openings than there are adequately trained workers. Training can include vocational or remedial education, or a combination of both.

2. The training is full-time. If training is part-time, you must be available for and actively seeking full-time employment in order to receive unemployment benefits.

3. The training provider or school has met all state and local requirements to give training.

4. You can reasonably be expected to complete the program.

5. The training is not on-the-job training, or any other training where an employer pays you for your time.

Schedule an appointment with your local One-Stop Career Center to explore approved training programs that may allow you to continue receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits while enrolled in full-time training.

When you enroll in training on your own, you are disqualified from having any of the training costs covered by funds available through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Before enrolling in training, schedule an appointment with a One-Stop career counselor. They can advise you on how to apply for training programs that are covered by New Jersey.

Answer “yes” on your initial unemployment insurance application and weekly certification when asked if you are currently attending school, college, or unpaid job training.

A claims examiner will contact you by phone, or you will receive an email questionnaire to determine if your training is approved.

Your training must be approved by a claims examiner to continue receiving unemployment benefits.

When your unemployment insurance benefits are exhausted, you may be approved to receive up to 26 weeks of benefits to complete approved training programs, if you work with a One-Stop Career Counselor. This program is called Additional Benefits During Training (ABT) and is offered through New Jersey's Workforce Development Partnership (WDP) program.

You cannot be considered for Additional Benefits During Training or a training grant if you enroll in training without working with a One-Stop career counselor.

If you are already enrolled in a training program, you may be eligible for Additional Benefits During Training. You must make an appointment with a One-Stop Career Center counselor to discuss your situation.

If you live in another state and are getting unemployment benefits through New Jersey, and are interested in Additional Benefits During Training, contact the New Jersey claims office at 888-795-6672. You can enroll in training in another state with the help of a local career counselor and then apply for Additional Benefits During Training with us.

Make an appointment with a One-Stop Career Center counselor to learn how to apply for Additional Benefits During Training.

There are two training grant programs available for laid-off workers. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the New Jersey Opportunity Partnership Program offer grants to help pay part or all of the cost of the training program. The training must be in New Jersey. Employment counselors can help you find job-related training for In-Demand Occupations.

One-Stop career counselor approval is required for these grants. Make an appointment for more information.

Registered apprenticeship programs combine structured instruction with a paid, on-the-job learning program. You'll benefit by earning money while learning specialized skills that lead to a sustaining career.

One-Stop career counselor approval is required for apprenticeship programs. Make an appointment for more information.