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NJ A451

NJ A451
Establishes "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to strengthen alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts; makes appropriation.

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 Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" ("system") to strengthen the strategic alignment and collaboration between the operations of local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts. Under the bill, to establish the system, the State Employment and Training Commission is to initiate a pilot program in three local areas to strengthen strategic alignment and collaboration between the operations of local workforce development boards, community colleges, and post-secondary programs in county vocational school districts. The pilot program is to include: (1) joint development and implementation of workforce training programs with an emphasis on industry-recognized credentials; (2) collaborative efforts for branding, outreach, and marketing to increase awareness of available training and career services; (3) integrated planning and coordination of funding resources to maximize the impact of State and federal support for workforce development; and (4) performance evaluation based on appropriate metrics aligned with State and federal workforce development programs to assess participant outcomes, program effectiveness and other measures as required under federal law and applicable State laws. Further, the commission, in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges and the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, is required pursuant to the bill to develop a strategy for strengthening Statewide alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts. The strategy is to include a guideline for scaling the pilot program to other areas throughout the State, recommendations for changes needed to facilitate strategic alignment and collaboration, and an implementation timeline and resource plan for stronger Statewide strategic alignment and collaboration. The commission is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature on the progress and outcomes of the pilot program and the implementation of the system. Finally, the bill designates community colleges and county vocational school districts as the preferred providers of postsecondary education, workforce training, and adult literacy programs for State workforce development services.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the "New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program" to improve how local workforce development boards, community colleges, and county vocational school districts work together to train people for jobs. The program will start in three areas and focus on jointly creating training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials, coordinating marketing efforts to inform people about available services, integrating funding to make the most of state and federal support, and evaluating success based on participant outcomes and program effectiveness. The State Employment and Training Commission, which is the state agency responsible for workforce development, will also develop a statewide strategy to expand these collaborations, including plans for scaling up the pilot program, recommending necessary policy changes, and outlining an implementation timeline and resources. The commission will report annually on the pilot program's progress and the statewide strategy's implementation. Furthermore, community colleges and county vocational school districts will be prioritized as providers for state-funded job training and adult literacy programs, with a specific focus on helping public assistance recipients find employment. The bill also includes an appropriation to fund these initiatives and specifies that federal funds should be used first if available.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Withdrawn Because Approved P.L.2025, c.375. (on 01/13/2026)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A451
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A0500/451_I1.HTM
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