On Thursday, February 4, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) announced the launch of the New Jersey Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge, a new $3 million program launched with funding from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) that will help establish an industry-recognized Global Wind Organization safety training program and facility to prepare New Jersey workers for jobs in the State’s growing offshore wind industry.

The New Jersey Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge will be open to New Jersey-based community colleges and training providers, including labor unions, non-profit or community organizations, and private training providers, which can submit proposals for establishing a Global Wind Organization (GWO) accredited Basic Safety and Sea Survival Training program in New Jersey. An Evaluation Committee will evaluate, score, and rank submissions to select one winning proposal.

Applications for the Challenge will open on March 15^th, 2021. Applicants will submit detailed proposals describing their planned programs. These proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee comprised of OSHE and NJEDA staff. The highest-scoring proposal will receive a grant of up to $3 million, based on project costs outlined in the application. OSHE and the NJEDA anticipate announcing the winner during summer 2021.

More information about the Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge is available at www.njeda.com/windsafetytrainingchallenge. The NJEDA and OSHE will also be hosting a webinar for potential applicants the week of February 22, 2021. More information on the webinar will be available soon.

Please reach out to Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs at hchebra@chambersnj.com if you have any questions.