The purpose of the PACE Program is to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in Registered Apprenticeship programs. These pre-apprenticeship programs have a documented partnership with at least one Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor that is committed to hiring from the pre-apprenticeship program within 18 months from the start of the contract period of performance, and together, they expand the participant's career pathway opportunities with industry-based training coupled with classroom instruction.
The PACE Program also seeks to eliminate economic barriers commonly associated with an individual's inability to invest in skills training and work readiness. In order to mitigate these barriers, the PACE Program encourages the use of stipend payments for all pre-apprenticeship program participants. This NGO provides funding for stipends and to support the attainment of a high school equivalency diploma or GED. PACE will also provide funding for paid STEM Internships, as defined in this NGO, to stimulate skills training in high-demand STEM related occupations. STEM internships refer to occupations that require education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines
This competitive program is being made available to accomplish any of the following primary goals:
- Create a pipeline of qualified individuals that move from pre-apprenticeship programs to Registered Apprenticeship, employment, or post-secondary career pathways;
- Expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities to New Jersey residents, including the underrepresented, disadvantaged, or low-skilled populations; and
- Increase the New Jersey labor supply with a larger pool of qualified workers who possesses the skills and qualifications necessary to receive and maintain employment
Favorable applications will contain pre-apprenticeship training within the following industry clusters: