NJ Pathways Happening: NJ’s Community Colleges at the 2024 GSETA Conference
NJ’s Community Colleges
The New Jersey Community Colleges and leaders of Workforce Development Boards throughout the state gathered for an intimate reception to discuss collaboration and the integration of their resources and programs, prior to the kickoff of the 2024 GSETA Annual Conference “Ride the Wave of Innovation”. It was a valuable opportunity to foster connections and explore ways to enhance workforce development efforts across the state.
Members of the Center of Workforce Innovation for Film & TV Production presented in a session featuring the pathway project for the NJ Film Academy. The NJ Film Academy aims to bolster New Jersey’s film industry by providing comprehensive training programs that create a qualified workforce. Through the NJ Film Academy, the initial education partners of this project are Brookdale Community College, Camden County College, Hudson County Community College, and Mercer County Community College. The NJ Film Academy will offer pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to earn valuable industry recognized credentials and degrees. NJ Film Academy positions New Jersey as a leading hub for film and television production, attracting major studios and film content.
Additionally, Catherine Starghill, Esq. (VP and Executive Director at the New Jersey Council of County Colleges led a panel of community college leaders exploring innovative strategies of how community colleges are working with Workforce Development Boards as a more unified workforce development ecosystem. The examples ranged from the Workforce Development Board being integrated into the community college at Rowan College of South Jersey, to the community college being an Affiliate Career Services Operator for the One-Stop Career Center at UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, and forming a coalition of community colleges and Workforce Development Boards partnering to work on a regional training grant program.
Panelists included Michelle Shirey, Rowan College of South Jersey; Lisa Hiscano, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ; and Susan Pagano, Ed.D., Brookdale Community College.
