N.J. mulls training wage for young workersN.J. mulls training wage for young workers

TRENTON N.J. Officials of the New Jersey Restaurant Association said they are supporting a state bill that would entitle workers enrolled in on-the-job training programs to receive an hourly wage that is lower than the state's minimum wage of $7.15 per hour.

The legislation, introduced Nov. 13 and sponsored by Assemblymen David P. Rible and Jon M. Bramnick, would allow trainees between the ages of 15 and 21 to collect a wage equaling 85 percent of the minimum wage, or approximately $6.08 an hour, for up to 90 days.

"Since youth requires training, being able to pay them a training wage will be more attractive to hire," said NJRA president Deborah Dowdell.

The bill stated that employers may not replace current or laid-off employees with trainees and that trainees cannot work for more than two employers paying a training wage during any one-year period. It also stipulates that employers paying the training wage must make a good faith attempt at continuing to employ the worker after training has been completed. It further stressed that employers must pay those employees the full minimum wage after training ends.