Initiatives

Initiatives That Matter

New Jersey’s 18 Community Colleges, coordinated by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, are leading statewide efforts to expand economic mobility, address equity gaps, and build a skilled workforce, all in support of the state’s ambitus credential attainment goal of 65 percent of working adults holding some type of post-secondary credential by 2025.

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NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities

NJ’s Community Colleges and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) have joined together to launch an unprecedented education and training pathways initiative that will strengthen the state’s workforce for residents, businesses, and the state’s economy for years to come.

Social Services Supports for Students

Too many Community College students struggle with food insecurity, homelessness, childcare issues, and mental health and wellness. These challenges limit students’ ability to stay enrolled in college and earn degrees and credentials. To address these needs, the Council has partnered with statewide organizations to support the efforts of Community Colleges to provide holistic student supports.

NJ Apprenticeship Technical Assistance Collaborative (A-TAC)

Registered apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn strategy that combines classroom and on-the-job training. Traditionally used in the trades including utilities and construction, NJ is working to expand apprenticeships to nontraditional occupations such as health care, transportation, life sciences, and other industries.

Opportunities for Adult Learners

NJ’s Community Colleges are committed to assisting more adults to earn a post-secondary degree or credential that will enable them to obtain family-supporting careers.

Helping High School Students Prepare for College

NJ’s Community Colleges are committed to partnering with high schools across the state to help prepare more students for post-secondary education. Such efforts are critical to state efforts to increase the attainment of post-secondary degrees and credentials to 65% by 2025 and to closing troubling gaps in college completion by race and ethnicity.

Strengthening Essential Skills Through the Humanities

Community Colleges are preparing all learners to be successful in their lives and careers by broadening their perspectives so that they can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world and innovation economy.

Additional Priorities

Free Skills Training to Ensure the Economic Growth of Businesses

The New Jersey Workplace Literacy and Basic Skills Training Program

Aligning Education to Enhance New Jersey’s Workforce

Enhancing New Jersey’s Manufacturing Workforce Development

Student Spotlight

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I wanted to change my career. I was studying biology, but I really wanted construction management. I was working at a construction company, and I loved it! I was told that’s not a career for women, it’s only for a man. I thought you know what, I’m going to change that. I am now studying Construction Management and working as a full-time construction inspector in New York City. I thank my professor for believing in me before I even believed in myself.

Erika Aguilar

Hudson County Community College

Current Student, Construction Management Program

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This program gave me a foundation for a career in supply chain management. I was laid off during the pandemic and decided to broaden my career option with supply chain management. My experience with the program was phenomenal, and the instructors were experts in their respective supply chain areas. I’m now working at the largest distribution center in PA, fulfilling online orders through Walmart.com as an e-commerce manager.

Charlton Barker

Union College of Union College Alum, Supply Chain Management

eCommerce Manager, Walmart

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I could see the STEM staff offering their advice and their support to all of the STEM students and I wanted to do the same, and I was given the opportunity. I was able to help fellow immigrant students, I was able to be a tutor, I was able to be a mentor, and it was the best time of my life so far.

Bertila Bruka

STEM Graduate, Bergen Community College

Current Biomedical Engineering Student, Stevens

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I’m very grateful for my time at County College of Morris (CCM). Back when I was 18, I studied film, it wasn’t for me and a few years later I was able to kind of reset my career path by going to CCM and studying computer science. (My experience at the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program) gave me my introduction to research, data science, and kind of certified my belief that I wanted to pursue a PhD and maybe work in academia.

Joseph Gatto

County College of Morris Alum

PhD Student, Machine Learning, Dartmouth

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(The program at Bergen Community College) helped me develop and realize my passion for penetration testing and ethical hacking. This initiative helped me become a better professional, and it gave me several skills that are very useful in the workforce, such as programing, problem solving, public speaking, and technical writing. The most valuable part of the STEM program at Bergen is that it’s a well-rounded program. It doesn’t only give you the opportunity and the exposure to your field, but it also attempts to make you a better professional overall.