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Bill > S4023


NJ S4023

Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2025
In Committee
05/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act, which codifies the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development's New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative. Under the bill, the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development is required to operate a New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, the purpose of which is to provide students, workers, and job seekers with career pathways they need to pursue promising new careers and opportunities; to strengthen career pathways partnerships between county colleges and employers, primary and secondary schools, vocational technical high schools, four-year institutions of higher education, unions, and community based organizations; and to ensure that employers have access to a highly skilled workforce to meet critical labor market needs. The bill permits the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to establish Centers of Workforce Innovation that offer career pathways in various areas. The bill directs the Centers of Workforce Innovation to develop curriculum specific to each career pathway that is to be made publicly available, provide students with instruction and skills necessary to gain employment in a career pathway, promote the use of the Community College Opportunity Grants, promote the expansion of apprenticeship and other work-based learning opportunities for students, and to collaborate with business leaders and educational partners across the State.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, a program designed to help students, workers, and job seekers develop career skills and find promising employment opportunities. The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development will operate the initiative, focusing on creating strong partnerships between county colleges, employers, schools, unions, and community organizations to address critical workforce needs. The bill allows for the creation of Centers of Workforce Innovation that will offer career pathways in 11 key areas, including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and construction. These centers will develop specialized curriculum, provide skills-based instruction, promote financial aid opportunities like Community College Opportunity Grants, and expand apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. The initiative will be supported by the Commissioners of Labor and Workforce Development and Education, along with the Secretary of Higher Education and business community representatives. The primary goals are to help individuals gain employable skills, support economic mobility, and ensure employers have access to a highly skilled workforce across various critical industries.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading (on 05/22/2025)

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