The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) launched a new pilot program designed to help residents reach career goals by offering financial assistance for upskilling and career education support.
Fund My Future (FMF) originates from Gov. Phil Murphy’s Future of Work Task Force recommendations and is built on the idea of empowering residents to drive their own career development by providing funds for job skills training and support services to ensure a pathway to sustainable employment.
“I’m proud of the establishment of Fund My Future, an accessible career program designed to advance our leaders of tomorrow,” said Murphy. “This is a monumental step toward investing in the futures of New Jerseyans and creating equitable opportunities for all individuals across the state.”
Participants in the program will be able to use FMF funds for job training and support services, including transportation, childcare, work-related tools, and more. These services will help to address the needs of FMF participants by ensuring they have the resources needed to complete career training and secure employment.
“Fund My Future provides critical upskilling and personalized career planning for New Jersey residents in need who are seeking an opportunity to forge a new career path,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “In addition to paid skills training, this program provides critical support for New Jerseyans by covering the costs of necessities like transportation and childcare. We are empowering workers to develop sought after job skills that will help them make their dreams of a better job and a brighter future reality.”
Once participants enroll in the FMF program, they will be provided with career coaching and training managed by grantees. FMF aims to streamline access to critical career resources for participants by making direct payments to service providers to ensure participants have prompt access to what they need. Each participant in FMF will work with a career coach to create an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) that will help them enhance their job skills and reach their career goals.
In order to participate in FMF, New Jersey residents must be at least 18 years of age; have an income level consistent with ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) guidelines; and be willing and able to complete identified training and obtain employment.
“The Fund My Future program is an innovative approach to help working families get ahead,” said New Jersey State Chief Innovation Officer Dave Cole. “By pairing funding for training and services with individualized guidance and coaching, this program empowers eligible New Jerseyans to take advantage of new opportunities in a changing economy. I applaud the Governor and legislature for supporting Fund My Future, Commissioner Asaro-Angelo and his team for launching this new initiative, and the State’s Future of Work Task Force for its focus on solving real challenges on behalf of residents.”
For more information about the FMF program and application details, visit Department of Labor and Workforce Development | Grant Opportunities (nj.gov) or contact OTWS@dol.nj.gov.