The New Jersey Earn and Learn Program is established to provide tax credits to employers who offer structured apprenticeships and paid internships, aimed at facilitating permanent employment for participants. The program, overseen by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development in collaboration with the Department of Education and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, will incentivize employers to hire individuals into these roles. Employers can apply for tax credits of $3,000 per enrollee, with additional credits available for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and for those who convert enrollees into full-time positions. The program is limited to a three-year duration per individual enrollee.

The bill outlines that the total value of credits claimed by a taxpayer cannot exceed $500,000 in a taxable year, and it mandates the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to submit an annual report evaluating the program's effectiveness, including participation rates and job placements. The program is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, with provisions for anticipatory administrative actions to ensure its implementation.