DeAngelo, Pinkin, Tucker, Andrzejczak, Conaway & Land Measure to Establish Military Skills Counc
Law Incorporates Recommendation from July 2015 Task Force Report A measure Assembly Democrats Wayne P. DeAngelo, Nancy Pinkin, Cleopatra Tucker, Bob Andrzejczak, Herb Conaway, Jr. and R. Bruce Land sponsored to fortify New Jersey's five military installations has been signed into law. "Our military installations clearly play an important role when it comes to national defense, but when you consider the thousands of jobs tied to the military, the businesses that support the installations and the billions of dollars in revenue that the installations generate, the local economic significance of New Jersey's military installations is irrefutable," said DeAngelo (D-Mercer/Middlesex), vice-chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee. "Any legislation that supports our installations, therefore, will have a positive impact on our state as a whole." The law (A-2515) establishes a New Jersey Military Skills Council in the Department of State to assess the condition of military skills and training in New Jersey and advise the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Education on expenditures from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund and other funds for the training and education of workers in preparation for jobs with the military and supporting industries. "This council will evaluate the condition of military skills and training in New Jersey so that we can better prepare workers for jobs with the military and supporting industries," said Tucker (D-Essex), chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee. "Its guidance will fortify the military and strengthen the economy." "By engaging with educators, the military and industry to ensure that workforce alignment initiatives address military, public and private sector needs, the New Jersey Military Skills Council will ensure that our military installations are equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century," said Pinkin (D-Middlesex). "This is a step forward as New Jersey works to avoid the closure of additional installations in the wake of the Pentagon closing Fort Monmouth." "Just like any other sector, the military functions best when it can assess its needs and fill any gaps with well-trained individuals," said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), who served in Iraq with the U.S. Army. "This legislation will help New Jersey prepare residents for roles that fortify our military." "Working with the military isn't limited to engaging in combat. There are important roles for medical professionals, mechanics, engineers and many others with special skill sets," said Conaway (D-Burlington), who served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps. "Establishing the Military Skills Council will help New Jersey educate residents in an effort to meet the various needs of our armed forces." "There are many opportunities for residents of New Jersey to serve their nation, but we need to figure out exactly where those opportunities lie and how to connect people to them," said Land (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), who served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. "This council will serve the dual purpose of strengthening our military and making sure that our residents are qualified for good jobs." The council will compile an annual report on: the comprehensive needs of the installations and key industries; employment barriers; deficiencies and opportunities for growth in the current workforce; alignment of curriculum and ways to enroll students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs; the development of resources, benefits and outcomes; preparation of workforce development strategies; and engagement of educators, military and industry to ensure workforce alignment. The council is to be comprised of: the Secretary of State, the Adjutant General, the commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the chair of the Employment and Training Commission, the Secretary of Higher Education, the commissioner of the Department of Education, two senators, two members of the Assembly and two public members. New Jersey's military installations provide 45,631 direct jobs and 27,603 indirect jobs, according to the July 2015 Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force report. The bases add $6.5 billion of wealth to the state's gross domestic product and create $9.6 billion in business revenues. The measure was one of several recommendations in the New Jersey Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force report. The task force was created by executive order upon the urging of the New Jersey Council on Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, on which DeAngelo serves. The five military installations located throughout New Jersey are: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington and Ocean counties; Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County; United States Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County; Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing in Atlantic County; and United States Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in Cape May County. The measure gained unanimous approval from both houses of the legislature before being signed into law by the governor.
