The bill establishes the Power Generation Training Center within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, aimed at training individuals for employment in both nuclear and non-nuclear power generation industries. The center will operate through a public-private partnership involving various stakeholders, including educational institutions, labor unions, and utilities. Its responsibilities include developing curricula, providing training and apprenticeship opportunities, supporting workforce pipelines for underserved communities, facilitating certification programs, and aligning educational pathways with industry needs.
Governance of the center will be overseen by a nine-member board, which includes representatives from the Department of Labor, the Secretary of Higher Education, the Board of Public Utilities, and appointees from the Governor and legislative leaders. The center will be led by an executive director, who will have the authority to hire staff and will receive compensation outside the standard state salary regulations. The bill also allows for funding from various sources, including the Global Warming Solutions Fund and societal benefits charges, to support the center's initiatives. The establishment of this center is seen as a crucial step in addressing New Jersey's energy generation capacity decline and preparing a skilled workforce for future energy production.