At Edison Job Corps, Menendez Promotes Bill To Boost Apprenticeships

EDISON, NJ - U.S. Senator Bob Menendez visited NJ labor union representatives at the Edison Job Corps on Wednesday, to announce new legislation aimed at expanding access to registered apprenticeship training programs.

This new legislation will expand access to apprenticeships, by raising awareness among students.

“Today, we’re making sure that the folks who are rebuilding America look like America. Which is why, right now, I’m working on a bill in the Senate that would expand awareness of registered apprenticeship programs for high school guidance counselors,” Menendez said.

“It’s legislation I’m collaborating on with our friends at the IBEW, the Carpenters Union, the Sheet Metal Workers Union, North America’s Building Trade Unions, and more. The fact of the matter is that high-quality pre-apprenticeship and joint labor-management apprenticeship programs work, and I want to ensure as many Americans as possible can benefit from such programs.”

Many high schools encourage students to enter colleges and universities when there are growing opportunities for them to enter registered apprenticeship programs and earn starting salaries upwards of $80,000 with no student debt.

By increasing the number of pipelines from high schools to registered apprenticeship programs, the federal government can help diversify the ranks of apprentices and expand the pool of people exposed to such training programs.

"Edison is absolutely delighted to collaborate with the esteemed Senator. His tireless dedication to job appreciation and remarkable efforts in infrastructure and workforce development have undeniably sparked a brighter future for New Jersey,” said Ashton Stripling, Executive Director of Edison Job Corps.

In addition to announcing his plan for new legislation, the Senator toured the Edison Job Corps’ training center where he had an opportunity to meet with students and trainees.

On behalf of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Robert Smith, Executive Training Director at Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical College, thanked Menendez for raising career awareness among students

“The projects that our members work on daily range from infrastructure, to hospitals, to airports, to offices, and educational facilities while generating family sustaining wages and benefits, Smith said.

“After touring this facility, you can truly see the pride each student has toward their skill development and projects as well as their determination, working so diligently to transfer the skills taught here to that eventual career path with our contractors."