Bill

Bill > A1329


NJ A1329

NJ A1329
Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
01/13/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
01/13/2026

Introduced Session

2026-2027 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 Act," which formalizes and codifies an existing program run by the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. The initiative aims to help students, workers, and job seekers find and pursue promising career paths by strengthening partnerships between county colleges, employers, schools at all levels, unions, and community organizations, ultimately ensuring New Jersey has a skilled workforce to meet labor demands. The bill allows for the creation of "Centers of Workforce Innovation" that will offer specific career training programs, develop publicly accessible curriculum, equip individuals with necessary job skills, encourage the use of financial aid like Community College Opportunity Grants, promote apprenticeships and other on-the-job training, and collaborate statewide with businesses and educators to foster economic growth and opportunity.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.374. (on 01/13/2026)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...