ASSEMBLY LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4212  

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 14, 2023

      The Assembly Labor Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4212.

      As amended, this bill establishes at Thomas Edison State University the Center for Career Relevant Education and Talent Evaluation of New Jersey (CreateNJ). As amended, the purpose of CreateNJ would be to maximize collaborations between employers, partner organizations, and institutions of higher education that develop and implement career pathways for nontraditional students and workers and workforce development programs. The center would be the State’s central resource for the evaluation and translation of learning experiences into a validated record of academic credit, career credentials, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship credits, and pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities. As amended, the validated record developed by the center, under the provisions of the bill, is to be known as the CreateNJ Workforce Transcript.

      As amended, CreateNJ would establish a steering committee of 12 members, the purpose of which is to foster partnerships between government and industry for the mapping of credentials and to contribute to the direction and sustainability of the center. The steering committee would be co-chaired by the President of Thomas Edison State University and the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, or their designees. As amended, other members of the steering committee would include one representative from each of the following:

      (1)  the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety;

      (2)  the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education;

      (3)  the Department of Education;

      (4)  the Economic Development Authority;

      (5)  the New Jersey Business and Industry Association; and

      (6) the New Jersey Council of County Colleges.

      As amended, the steering committee will also include three representatives of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, preferably each from different sectors.

      Under the bill, CreateNJ would establish a database that houses all of the skills or credits credentialed or accepted by Thomas Edison State University or other participating institutions of higher education pursuant to the bill.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1) eliminate the appropriation of $2 million for the program;

      (2) change the composition of the steering committee by adding the Economic Development Authority and including three representatives of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council; and

      (3) make other minor changes.