For Employers
We are here to assist with Employers Needs. Visit the CareerOneStop Business Center, your source for help hiring, training and retaining a strong workforce, or check out some of the programs below.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT) is a subsidized work-based learning opportunity designed to assist New Jersey employers in developing the workforce they need to preform a job the way the employer needs it done. OJT has a proven track record of meeting the needs of both employers and jobseekers. Eligible workers are hired by a private or public employer and receive training that provides both the knowledge and skills essential to perform well in a position.
Employers who hire for full-time positions that pay the state minimum wage or more are reimbursed 50% of the salary (capped at $10,000) for agreeing to provide training for a period of up to 26 weeks to an unemployed jobseeker or a public assistance recipient. Employers who hire individuals receiving public assistance may also eligible for no-cost, six-month, $25,000 federal bonds.
Why should you apply for this grant?
- The program is a cost-effective way to fill your positions with job-ready, prescreened candidates.
- Wage reimbursement helps with the expense of onboarding and training new employees to ensure that they meet business expectations.
- This program has no hourly wage caps. Unlike many employment assistance programs, you may hire someone in a higher salary range for more complex positions.
How to participate:
- Your new hires must be New Jersey residents who are unemployed or facing imminent layoffs from their current employer. They either must be currently receiving unemployment benefits OR must have exhausted their benefits within the past 52 weeks OR must meet the criteria to be regarded as a dislocated worker.
- Workers must be paid the state minimum wage or more.
- Positions must be for full-time (at least 32 hours per week) and long-term employment.
- Provide substantive on-the-job training at your location, on your equipment, under your guidelines. The length of training is determined by the participant's demonstrated skills gap and the job description.
- Submit trainee evaulations and payroll records for wage reimbursement, up to 50 percent.
- Depending on the complexity of skills to be learned and the qualifications of your new employee, the contract period will range from 4 to 26 weeks.
Benefits for Businesses
- Wage reimbursement to help defray the cost of training
- Up to 50% of your new employees' gross waves for the first sixth months
- May receive wage subsidy up to $10,000 per employee
- Experienced OJT contract writers will assist you in the selection of qualified candidates and with the application process.
How to get started:
Business Representatives help you cut through the red tape of government services and programs available for businesses of all sizes. Your Representative knows which programs are available right now, and can help you get the services that will help you grow your business. They can also offer no-cost recruitment services, several kinds of hiring incentives, and funding assistance to train your employees.
Gloucester County General Business Services Representative: Judeline Marcellus
- Email: judeline.marcellus@dol.nj.gov
- Sewell office phone: 856-384-3763
- Mobile phone: 609-874-8072
Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), incumbent worker training is recognized as a form of work-based training and is permitted at both local and state levels. Local boards, in collaboration with employers or groups of employers, can support incumbent workers by helping them gain the skills needed to retain their jobs, avoid layoffs, improve competitiveness, and ensure the employer’s commitment to keeping workers or preventing layoffs. This policy outlines how the Gloucester County Workforce Development Board (GCWDB) will oversee the WIOA Title I formula-funded incumbent worker training program. It’s important to note that training opportunities funded through temporary grants or other federal/state resources may have different requirements. Funding for these activities is determined at the discretion of the Gloucester County Workforce Development Board.
Incumbent Worker Eligibility Overview
Incumbent worker training is designed for employees who have a history with their current employer but require additional skills to maintain their job, advance, or avoid layoffs. To be eligible, workers must meet these criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
- Be 18 years or older, with males born before January 1, 1960, registered with Selective Service (if applicable).
- Be employed by a private entity (excluding non-profit healthcare facilities) and have been employed for at least six months.
- If training involves a group, the majority must meet the six-month employment requirement.
Incumbent workers do not need to qualify for WIOA Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker programs unless receiving additional services.
Employer Eligibility Overview
Employers are eligible if the training leads to in-demand occupations and meets certain conditions, such as:
- Helping employees retain their job or avoid layoffs.
- Improving the competitiveness of both the employee and employer.
- The training must be aligned with the employer's commitment to retaining trained workers.
Employers are required to pay a non-federal share of training costs, with contribution percentages based on employee size. Specific conditions also apply regarding employer history, such as recent layoffs, and unemployment insurance status.
Training Duration and Funding
Training duration is based on the complexity of the job and can last up to 12 months. GCWDB may allocate up to 20% of adult and dislocated worker funding for this training, with a maximum of $5,000 per trainee. Additional support may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Conflict of Interest and Regulatory Compliance
GCWDB enforces conflict-of-interest guidelines to ensure fair decision-making and compliance with regulations. Certain activities, such as construction or union-related expenses, are prohibited from WIOA funding.
This overview highlights key eligibility requirements, funding details, and conditions for incumbent worker training. Employers are encouraged to consult GCWDB for detailed guidance and support. View our full policy here.
The Federal Bonding program gives you the security you need to hire that candidate with confidence. This unique job-placement tool provides employers with a no-cost, six-month, $25,000, federal bond insuring employers against theft, forgery, larceny or embezzlement for hiring hard-to-place jobseekers such as individuals who have poor credit histories, recovering substance abusers, individuals on public assistance, and parolees.
What is a fidelity bond?
A fidelity bond is a business insurance policy that protects you in case of any loss of money or property due to employee dishonesty.
- The bond provides up to $25,000 of coverage with no deductible.
- There is no cost to employer or employee.
- There is no required paperwork or special records to keep.
- A bond can be issued as soon as the date is set for the applicant to start work.
Who qualifies?
Anyone you consider a risk to hire, such as:
- people who have poor personal credit.
- people dishonorably discharged from the military.
- people lacking work history.
- ex-offenders.
- recovering substance abusers.
What does the bond cover?
The bond insures you against any loss due to theft, forgery, larceny, or embezzlement. It does not cover liability due to an employee's poor workmanship, job injuries, or work accidents. It is not a bail or court bond for legal systems.
For more information or to request a bond, contact:
James Rimalover
New Jersey State Bonding Coordinator
609-292-5763
Recruit & Hire
- Identify Your Hiring Needs- Learn about skills, salaries, and job descriptions before you recruit and hire. Also, see if internships, temporary agency workers, or a recruiting firm would be a good fit.
- Where to Find Candidates- Learn where and how to recruit qualified candidates for no cost. Job banks, local schools, job fairs, and professional associations can all be great sources.
- Interview & Hire- How effective is your hiring process? Refresh your practices with information on pre-screening, employment assessments, illegal interview questions, negotiating an offer, and more.
- Expanding Your Workforce- Tips and legal information for hiring workers with disabilities, youth, foreign nationals, ex-offenders, older workers, and veterans.
Train & Retain
- Employee Skill Needs- Seeing training gaps in your workforce? Develop training strategies as you learn about effective assessment, job skill analysis, certifications, and training resources to meet your business goals.
- Training Options- Need to find training resources in your area? Find local contacts for your training needs. Explore on-site customized training, community colleges and other training providers, certifications, professional associations, and more.
- Funding Employee Training- Discover several low-cost options for training employees using your internal resources.
- Manage and Retain Employees- Find local resources for low-cost Adult Basic Education and English as a Second Language training for your workforce.