Thomas Edison State University and N.J. Department of Labor Launch Statewide Apprenticeship Degree Initiative

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue a first-of-its-kind, statewide Apprenticeship Degree Initiative aimed at expanding access to higher education for New Jersey’s apprentices. Funded by NJDOL, the three-year, $5 million initiative will support the development of college-credit pathways for registered apprenticeship programs, aligning workforce training with higher education credentials. This agreement follows a $849,000 apprenticeship evaluation and scholarship program with the DOL that has been successfully completed.

Under the TESU/NJDOL NJPLACE grant, TESU saw 99 New Jersey-based registered apprentices join the program, 78 of whom earned credit through TESU’s Professional Learning Review process. In total, TESU awarded 3,904 credits to apprentices in the program, which equates to a savings of more than $1.6 million and helped many achieve their goal of earning a college degree. Additionally, while apprentices themselves saved both time and money through these credit-for-prior-learning awards, the impact on the community was manifested through state, county and federal financial aid program savings.

“This collaboration is a powerful step forward for New Jersey’s workforce,” said Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, president of TESU. “By recognizing the value of workplace learning and linking apprenticeships to college degrees, we’re not only expanding opportunity for individuals — we’re building a smarter, more adaptable workforce for our state.”

Through this partnership, TESU will evaluate apprenticeship programs to determine how college credit can be awarded for both the classroom and on-the-job learning apprentices receive. The initiative also establishes new degree-apprenticeship pathways beginning with career and technical education programs and expands support systems to help apprentices to complete college degrees or certificates while continuing their training.

The Apprenticeship Degree Initiative will enroll apprentices into TESU programs with scholarship support that bridges the gap between awarded credits and remaining degree requirements. It will also provide each student with both an academic transcript and a “skills transcript,” aligned with TESU’s CreateNJ initiative, capturing verified knowledge, competencies and credentials in a comprehensive and career-relevant format.

“Overall, TESU believes the program has been a success and continues to innovate in the area of higher education and apprenticeship training,” said Dr. Jeff S. Harmon, who directed the NJ PLACE grant and who will oversee the new Apprenticeship-Degree Initiative. “This new $5 million MOU between TESU and the NJDOL is a reflection on how critical apprenticeship training and the joint pursuit of a college degree are to the future of the N.J. workforce.”

TESU’s role will include evaluating registered apprenticeship programs, creating multi-credential pathways, enrolling students and supporting them through customized educational and life-coaching services. The University will also partner with high schools, pre-apprenticeship programs and trade unions to foster strong pipelines into both apprenticeship and higher education.

The MOU is effective from May 2025 through April 2028.

For more information about TESU’s workforce and apprenticeship initiatives, contact Dr. Jeff S. Harmon at jharmon@tesu.edu.