34:15B-35 Definitions relative to job training.

1. As used in this act:

"Approved community-based or faith-based organization" means an organization which is an approved service provider, a nonprofit organization exempt from federal taxation under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. s.501), and approved by the commissioner as demonstrating expertise and effectiveness in the field of workforce investment and being representative of a community or a significant segment of a community where the organization provides services.

"Approved service provider" or "approved training provider" means a service provider which is on the State Eligible Training Provider List.

"Apprenticeship Policy Committee" means the New Jersey Apprenticeship Policy Committee established by an agreement between the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in the United States Department of Labor, the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the State Department of Education and consisting of a representative of the Commissioner of the State Department of Education, a representative of the Commissioner of the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Director of Region II of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in the United States Department of Labor, and a representative of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

"Credential" means a credential recognized by the Department of Education or the Commission on Higher Education, or approved by the Credentials Review Board established by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development pursuant to section 25 of P.L.2005, c.354 (C.34:1A-1.10).

"Department" means the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

"Employment and training services" means:

a. Counseling provided pursuant to section 4 of this act;

b. Occupational training; or

c. Remedial instruction.

"Federal job training funds" means any moneys expended to obtain employment and training services, pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub.L.105-220 (29 U.S.C. s.2801 et seq.) or any other federal law pursuant to which moneys may be expended to obtain employment and training services or other employment-directed and workforce development programs and activities, except that, to the extent that the application of any specific provision of this act would cause the amount of federal job training funds provided to the State to be reduced, that provision shall not apply.

"Labor demand occupation" means an occupation which:

a. The Center for Occupational Employment Information has, pursuant to subsection d. of section 27 of P.L.2005, c.354 (C.34:1A-86), determined is or will be, on a regional basis, subject to a significant excess of demand over supply for trained workers, based on a comparison of the total need or anticipated need for trained workers with the total number being trained; or

b. The Center for Occupational Employment Information, in conjunction with a Workforce Investment Board, has, pursuant to subsection d. of section 27 of P.L.2005, c.354 (C.34:1A-86), determined is or will be, in the region for which the board is responsible, subject to a significant excess of demand over supply for adequately trained workers, based on a comparison of total need or anticipated need for trained workers with the total number being trained.

"Office of Customized Training" means the Office of Customized Training established pursuant to section 5 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-5).

"One Stop Career Center" means any of the facilities established, sponsored or designated by the State, a political subdivision of the State and a Workforce Investment Board in a local area to coordinate or make available State and local programs providing employment and training services or other employment-directed and workforce development programs and activities, including job placement services, and any other similar facility as may be established, sponsored or designated at any later time to coordinate or make available any of those programs, services or activities.

"Permanent employment" means full-time employment unsubsidized by government training funds which provides a significant opportunity for career advancement and long-term job security.

"Poverty level" means the official poverty level based on family size, established and adjusted under section 673 (2) of Subtitle B of the "Community Services Block Grant Act," Pub.L.97-35 (42 U.S.C. s.9902 (2)).

"Qualified job counselor" means a job counselor whose qualifications meet standards established by the commissioner.

"Qualified staff" means staff whose qualifications meet standards set by regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.

"Remedial education" or "remedial instruction" means any literacy or other basic skills training or instruction which may not be directly related to a particular occupation but is needed to facilitate success in occupational training or work performance, including training or instruction in basic mathematics, reading comprehension, basic computer literacy, English proficiency and work-readiness skills.

"Self-sufficiency" for an individual means a level of earnings from employment not lower than 250% of the poverty level for an individual, taking into account the size of the individual's family.

"Service provider," "training provider" or "provider" means a provider of employment and training services including but not limited to a private or public school or institution of higher education, a business, a labor organization or a community-based organization.

"State Eligible Training Provider List" means the Statewide list of eligible training providers maintained pursuant to section 14 of P.L.2005, c.354 (C.34:15C-10.2).

"Vocational training" or "occupational training" means training or instruction which is related to an occupation and is designed to enhance the marketable skills and earning power of a worker or job seeker.

"Workforce investment services" means core, intensive, and training services as defined by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Pub.L.105-220 (29 U.S.C. s.2801 et seq.).

L.1992, c.48, s.1; amended 2001, c.152, s.4; 2004, c.39, s.6; 2005, c.354, s.1.