Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Labor topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs DOL pilot to recruit unemployed into health‑care jobs, approves $250,000 appropriation
Summary
The committee amended and released A4809, directing the Department of Labor to identify and recruit unemployed individuals for health‑care, home‑care and hospice jobs and appropriating $250,000 for training; healthcare associations and NJBIA voiced support while members questioned whether funding was sufficient.
The Assembly Labor Committee approved an amended A4809 that directs the commissioner of labor and workforce development, in consultation with the Department of Health and stakeholders, to establish standards and a program to identify and recruit unemployed individuals for positions in health care facilities, home care and hospice services.
Althea Ford, vice president of government affairs for NJBIA, told the committee the bill would "efficiently and effectively deploy the human capital and resources of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to engage in workforce development by connecting prospective workers to employment opportunities in an in‑demand field." Ford urged the committee to consider whether the same model could be applied across other industries.
John Endyke of the Health Care Association of New Jersey, which represents more than 300 nursing and assisted living facilities, called workforce shortages an "access to care issue" and said any program to identify and direct suitable candidates to training and jobs would be helpful. Endyke also warned of a federal staffing mandate he said could cost the sector "$400,000,000 a year," noting that mandate is being challenged in court.
The committee amended the bill to explicitly include home care and hospice services and appropriated $250,000 from the general fund to support training programs and resources for eligible candidates. Committee members applauded the proposal but several questioned whether $250,000 would be sufficient to make a significant dent in staffing shortages. On a motion to amend and release the bill the committee approved the measure for further consideration.
The measure tasks the Department of Labor and Workforce Development with assessing candidates’ trainability for specific positions, proximity to relevant jobs, transportation options and barriers that could prevent immediate employment. Supporters included a range of healthcare organizations and chambers of commerce that filed in favor. The bill will be available for additional sponsorship and drafting changes as it moves through the legislative process.
