September 30 2024 at 4:27 PM | NJ Pathways

NJ Pathways Project Highlight: The NJ Film Academy 

Center of Workforce Innovation for Film & TV Production

The NJ Film Academy (created under the Center of Workforce Innovation for Film & Television Production) bolsters New Jersey’s film industry by providing comprehensive training programs that create a qualified workforce. It offers pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to earn valuable industry recognized credentials and degrees. The NJ Film Academy positions New Jersey as a leading hub for film and television production, attracting major studios and film content.  

Through the NJ Film Academy, NJ’s Community Colleges present a powerful and comprehensive solution to meet the industry’s growing workforce demands. By leveraging their collective resources, these 13 Community Colleges offer a breadth and depth of training opportunities that encompass every facet of the field. With experienced faculty and industry-recognized curricula, the colleges are poised to deliver consistent, high-quality training that is valued by employers. Four colleges are scheduled to start classes in January 2025: (1) Brookdale Community College, Lead Institution of the Center, (2) Mercer County Community College, (3) Camden County College, and (4) Hudson County Community College. This statewide approach ensures that a skilled and credentialed workforce is available throughout New Jersey, attracting more production companies and fostering economic growth. By collaborating as a cohesive network, the community colleges can streamline and standardize their programs, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the latest techniques and technologies, regardless of their location within the state. This synergistic approach not only enhances the learning experience but also provides a scalable and sustainable model for meeting the ever-evolving needs of the film and TV industry. 

The collaborative efforts of the NJ Film Academy (Academy) with the educational partners of the Center of Workforce Innovation have resulted in the following:  

  • Establishment of the nonprofit the NJ Film Academy (501-c-3).  
  • Appointment of the founding Board of Directors for the Academy and Industry Advisory Committee.  
  • Hiring of an Executive Director (Diane Raver) for the Academy.  
  • Obtained initial funding to support the Center for Workforce Innovation for Film and Television Production from the NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities.  
  • Secured exclusive rights for the preferred industry credential curriculum (same as that used by the Georgia Film Academy).  
  • Set forth schedule for educational partners to commence workforce development training in January 2025.  
  • Presented at the New Jersey Community College Opportunity/Pathways Summit.  
  • Formed ecosystem connections with vocational-technical high schools, colleges and universities, relevant labor unions, community outreach and other industry stakeholders.  

The curriculum tracks being offered by the colleges forming the NJ Film Academy are: