TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Governor Phil Murphy announced a new incentive Monday intended to push unemployed workers back to work.
The "Return and Earn" program will offer unemployed New Jerseyans $500 if they join and receive job training from businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
“Throughout this pandemic, I have heard much about the issues facing small businesses and the dedicated, hard-working men and women who enable their success,” Murphy said in a statement. “Our administration is committed to assist businesses in hiring workers, while providing benefits to those entering and re-entering the workforce that will set them up for success in their new jobs and their future careers. This program will help both businesses and their workers, and is yet another step that we have taken to boost our economy.”
Employers who utilize "Return and Earn" could receive $10,000 subsidies for up to 6 months, with employers then reimbursed for 50% of the wages paid during the contracted employer-provided training period.
The positions filled must be paid at least $15 per hour and work full time.
The funding for the program stems from President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
Murphy discussed the incentive Monday and promoted it's potential during his daily news conference.
"I would characterize it as a pilot, we are going to put $10 million into it to get it off the ground and see what the uptake is," he said. "If it is as significant as we think, maybe we will find ways to amp that up."
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, which will implement the program, is working to provide a streamlined application process.
Employers interested can visit NJ.gov/labor/returnandearn to learn more about the new program.
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