P.L. 2025, c.374 (A5211 1R)

An Act establishing the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act and supplementing chapter 64A of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the “New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.”

2. a. The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development shall operate a New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative, the purpose of which shall be to provide students, workers, and job seekers with the career pathways they need to pursue promising new careers and opportunities; to strengthen career pathways partnerships between county colleges and employers, primary and secondary schools, vocational technical high schools, four-year institutions of higher education, unions, and community-based organizations; and to ensure that employers have access to a highly skilled workforce to meet critical labor market needs.

b. ¹[The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the Secretary of Higher Education, the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, and representatives of the business community, shall promote and support the implementation of the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative.

c.]¹ The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development may establish Centers of Workforce Innovation that offer career pathways in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) patient care;

(2) healthcare technology and administration;

(3) direct support;

(4) manufacturing production and engineering;

(5) supply chain logistics;

(6) data science;

(7) cybersecurity;

(8) program and software development;

(9) research and development;

(10) renewable energy; and

(11) construction.

¹[d.] c.¹ The Centers of Workforce Innovation shall:

(1) develop curriculum specific to each career pathway, which shall be made publicly available;

(2) provide students with the instruction and skills necessary to gain employment in a career pathway field;

(3) promote the use of Community College Opportunity Grants and other State and federal financial aid to support promotion along the pathways, including for incumbent workers; and

(4) promote the expansion of apprenticeship and other work-based learning opportunities for students.

¹[e.] d.¹ The Centers of Workforce Innovation shall collaborate with industry leaders and educational partners across the State to expand economic mobility opportunity and drive economic growth.

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

Establishes New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act.