TRENTON – The Senate Labor Committee advanced two pieces of legislation sponsored by Senators Andrew Zwicker, Troy Singleton, and Joe Cryan, which would expand workforce development programs and provide resources for New Jersey students.

The first bill, S-4012, sponsored by Senators Zwicker and Singleton, would establish the “New Economy Opportunity Skills System Pilot Program” to strengthen the strategic alignment and collaboration between the operations of local workforce development boards and community colleges.

“This legislation intends to bridge the gap between workforce development programs, community colleges, and employers that many students have fallen into,” said Senator Zwicker (D-Middlesex/Mercer/Somerset/Hunterdon). “By creating a new system that connects our current development boards with employers and institutions of higher education, we aim to make it simpler for students to move directly from training into high-quality jobs in future-oriented sectors like clean energy, technology, and manufacturing.”

Under the bill, the State Employment and Training Commission would establish the system by initiating the program in three local areas to strengthen strategic alignment and collaboration between the operations of local workforce development boards and community colleges. The program would include:

• Joint development and implementation of workforce training programs with an emphasis on industry-recognized credentials
• Collaborative efforts for branding, outreach, and marketing to increase awareness of available training and career services
• Integrated planning and coordination of funding resources to maximize the impact of State and federal support for workforce development
• Performance evaluations based on appropriate metrics aligned with State and federal workforce development programs to assess participant outcomes, program effectiveness, and other measures required under the “Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,” and applicable State laws.

In consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, the commission would develop a strategy to strengthen statewide strategic alignment and collaboration between local workforce development boards and community colleges. The strategy would include a guideline for scaling the pilot program to other areas throughout the state, recommendations for changes needed to facilitate integration, and an implementation timeline and resource plan for statewide integration.

“Strengthening collaboration between local workforce development boards and community colleges will help ensure our students are more easily able to connect with potential employers, receive technical training, and ultimately secure the well-paying jobs they are being educated for,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “It will also help ensure New Jersey's workforce is prepared for the industries and jobs of the future, making our state more attractive for business investment and innovation.”

The commission would submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the progress and outcomes of the pilot program and the implementation of the system. The report would include data on participant outcomes, including employment rates, credential attainment, wage increases, and other appropriate metrics aligned with state and federal workforce development programs and applicable state laws. It would also include recommendations for improvements or adjustments to the program and an update on the statewide integration strategy and its implementation.

The second bill, S-4009, sponsored by Senators Zwicker and Cryan, would direct the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) to develop and maintain a list of industry-valued credentials offered in New Jersey, based on analysis of state labor market data and feedback from employers in the State. 

“We want to make it as easy as possible for our students to figure out what they need to succeed in their chosen field,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union). “The list described in this bill will be a major resource to young people, helping them understand which credentials will provide them with the most opportunities for career advancement, higher wages, and job security in the future.”

The industry-valued credential list would be updated annually and accessible via the Department of Labor and Workforce Development's website. It would recognize a degree, diploma, certificate, or certification awarded for occupations that are valued and in demand by employers.