A diverse consortium committed to workforce development in New Jersey is developing one of the first pilot apprenticeship programs in the nation dedicated to training those who want to work in cannabis professionally.
Partnerships
Partners in the Cannabis Apprenticeship Training Initiative include the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) Workforce Development and Rowan University. Also, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 360, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, Rowan College of South Jersey, the Gloucester County Workforce Development Board, and Loud Wellness, Inc. of Glassboro.
Through $325,000 in funding from the NJDOL, the program will develop a cohesive curriculum to provide industry-specific training and highly skilled employees to work in the growing cannabis retail field.
The goal of the program is to educate and train workers to help cannabis businesses in New Jersey thrive. They also want to build pathways for employees. It is especially concerned with those in marginalized communities, according to a memorandum of understanding between Rowan and the NJDOL.
“Through this partnership, we will develop degrees. Pre-apprenticeship degrees through graduate degrees for citizens who will be poised to make an immediate impact on the cannabis retail industry. We will work with our partners to meet the needs of employers. While providing pathways to sustainable employment opportunities,” said Rowan University President Ali A. Houshmand.
While Rowan will coordinate all activities and develop education and training curricula for the retail program, the University will also develop apprenticeships for the cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis.
The curriculum will be imported into the UFCW Learning Management System.
Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said they are proud to lead the way in the development of a skilled retail cannabis workforce.
“NJDOL is proud to partner with Rowan University and other stakeholders to ensure that the expanding cannabis industry has the skilled workers it needs to grow and thrive. And, significantly, to invest in this equitable education and training program so the cannabis workforce is inclusive and diverse,” he explained.
Cannabis Labor Unions
The UFCW Local 360 and the AFL-CIO will provide apprenticeship coordinator services and ongoing program development, and participate in apprentice recruitment and retention. In addition, they will develop employer relationships to create apprenticeship and employment opportunities.
“Both medical and recreational cannabis (is) now legal in our state. Organized labor looks forward to partnering with academia, business, and government. And to craft a program to ensure the best-trained workforce and quality jobs are the standard in the cannabis industry,” said Charles Wowkanech, President of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO.
“New Jersey leads our nation on so many different worker training initiatives. I recognize the efforts of the Murphy administration in doing that yet again in the cannabis industry,” he added.
Industry Partnerships to Work in Cannabis
The partnership “will ensure workers in the cannabis industry will get the respect for their work they deserve. And set standards for training in the industry,” said UFCW 360 Organizing Director Hugh Giordano.
Heady NJ is hosting the upcoming Working in South Jersey Cannabis Gathering
This is on the heels of New Jersey rolling out opportunities for small business grants for cannabis business startups.
“Cannabis work is a skilled trade and should be recognized as such,” Giordano added.
Academic Education for Cannabis
Rowan College of South Jersey will oversee the enrollment of apprentices, training, recruitment, and retention and provide basic skills training assessments. They will also work on industry-recognized credentials for adult learners.
It’s important to have a skillful and well-trained cannabis workforce in New Jersey.
The Gloucester County Workforce Development Board also will provide outreach to targeted populations. They will also work on recruitment, apprentice onboarding, and training.
Loud Wellness, Inc., a cannabis cultivator, will provide hands on learning and technical instruction for apprentices. The business will hire some of the trainees according to their agreement. The company is building a growing and manufacturing facility in Glassboro.
Heady NJ is rolling out new resources supporting the growing business and customer base in NJ’s thriving cannabis industry.
Stay tuned as we roll out exciting resources for all of our cannabis-loving friends.
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