Bill Text: NJ SJR80 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates third week in October of each year as "New Jersey Careers in Utilities Week."*
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-11-09 - Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading [SJR80 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-SJR80-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator FRED H. MADDEN, JR.
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Designates third week in October as "New Jersey Careers in Utilities Week."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the third week in October of each year as "New Jersey Careers in Utilities Week."
Whereas, New Jersey is home to a number of investor-owned utility companies that serve New Jersey's residents and businesses Statewide by providing essential water, wastewater, electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; and
Whereas, New Jersey's investor-owned utilities collectively employ more than 28,000 service-oriented and safety-minded men and women for a combined payroll in excess of $2.5 billion per year; and
Whereas, Those men and women work together to operate $37 billion in critical utility infrastructure, which serves as the backbone of the State's economy and contributes to the exceptional quality of life citizens enjoy in New Jersey; and
Whereas, New Jersey's investor-owned utilities have been investing billions of dollars more annually to enhance the integrity of New Jersey's system of utilities; and
Whereas, New Jersey's investor-owned utilities have recognized that, in addition to investing in infrastructure, it is vital to invest in the lives and careers of their employees; and
Whereas, The Center for Energy Workforce Development has found that, nationwide, nearly 55 percent of the electric and natural gas utility workforce may need to be replaced in the next decade due to retirements, and similar trends are evident in other utility sectors; and
Whereas, New Jersey's investor-owned utilities have undertaken many important workforce development initiatives, including certified apprenticeship programs, active partnerships with institutions of higher education and vocational schools, and participation in training programs coordinated through the collaborative efforts of the New Jersey Utilities Association, the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce Development and Economic Development, and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and
Whereas, New Jersey's investor-owned utilities offer numerous opportunities for individuals of diverse backgrounds, career stages, and levels of education to obtain employment that contributes to the welfare and prosperity of our State, which enables those individuals to support themselves and provide for their families with good paying and stable careers; and
Whereas, There is a need for government and investor-owned utilities to work together to educate students about the benefits of working in the utilities industry, which provides good salaries, advancement opportunities, training and volunteerism opportunities that contribute to professional and personal development, and the opportunity to develop and enhance infrastructure critical to society; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The third week in October of each year is designated as "New Jersey Careers in Utilities Week," in recognition of the State's investor-owned utilities workforce and the various employment opportunities those utilities offer to thousands of hard working men and women through infrastructure investment and the creation of good paying and stable careers.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials, private organizations, and all citizens and residents of this State to celebrate the contribution New Jersey's investor-owned utilities workforce makes to the overall quality of life and economic prosperity of New Jersey and recognize the numerous employment, training, and career advancement opportunities offered by those utilities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the third week in October of each year as "New Jersey Careers in Utilities Week," in recognition of the State's investor-owned utilities workforce and the thousands of employment opportunities for good paying and stable careers offered by those utilities through infrastructure investment.
The resolution also directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling on public officials, private organizations, and citizens of this State to celebrate the contribution New Jersey's investor-owned utilities workforce makes to the overall quality of life and economic prosperity of the State and recognize the numerous employment, training, and career advancement opportunities offered by those utilities.
