SENATE, No. 2178

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Senator ANDREW ZWICKER

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN

District 20 (Union)

SYNOPSIS

     Directs DOLWD to develop and maintain industry-valued credential list.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

An Act concerning industry-valued credentials and supplementing P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-1 et al.).

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

     1.    a.  The Department of Labor and Workforce Development shall develop and maintain a list of industry-valued credentials identifying the specific credentials offered in this State in which employers are most interested, based on analysis of State labor market data and feedback from employers in the State.  The industry-valued credential list shall be updated annually and made available as a list and as a downloadable document on the Internet website of the department.

     b.    The department shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.

     2.    This act shall take effect on the 90th day after enactment except that the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development may take any anticipatory administrative action in advance as shall be necessary for the implementation of this act.

STATEMENT

      This bill requires the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to develop and maintain a list of industry-valued credentials.  The list is to identify the specific credentials offered in New Jersey in which employers are most interested, based on analysis of State labor market data and on feedback from employers in the State.  The industry-valued credential list is required to be updated annually and made available as a list and in a downloadable format on the DOLWD’s Internet website. 

      An industry-valued credential is a recognized degree, diploma, certificate, or certification awarded for an occupation that is valued and demanded by employers, with transferable skills that provide broad opportunities and may lead to opportunities for further training and education, higher wages, career advancement, or increased job security.