NJDOL expands STEM career accelerator internship program

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced on Friday in recognition of National STEM Day it has expanded its Career Accelerator Internship Program.

The program offers financial assistance to people working STEM jobs and opens up opportunities to careers in key sectors of the state by increasing funding incentives to businesses.

It focuses on first-time interns in high school or college with placement offers in STEM fields such as IT/software, life sciences and health care, and energy. Participating employers can expect to be reimbursed up to 50% of wages paid to new interns ($3,000 max per student).

Gov. Phil Murphy created the program in May 2018 to deliver on the promise of an innovation economy.

“In order to reclaim New Jersey’s place as the state of innovation, we must build and retain a workforce that will help New Jersey businesses succeed in a 21st century economy,” Murphy said. “By expanding this program, we will provide our residents with the resources and support they need to thrive in STEM careers, and we will strengthen the business ecosystem of the Garden State.”

“The STEM fields are already a vital part of New Jersey’s innovation economy,” Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. “Through the Career Accelerator program, we continue to encourage the next generation of scientists, engineers, and IT professionals who will make up our future workforce.”