Legislation Would Encourage Partnership Between Higher Education Institutions and Jobs for America’s Graduates
In an effort to help New Jersey’s students take advantage of the career opportunities in the healthcare industry available to them, the Assembly Higher Education Committee advanced a bill sponsored by Assembly Democrats Louis Greenwald, Annette Chaparro and Bill Moen that would create a pilot program to encourage higher education institutions and proprietary institutions in the State to partner with Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey.
Jobs for America’s Graduates is a State-based national non-profit organization that helps students find success in school and after graduation.
Under the bill (A-1311), a four-year pilot program would be created in the Department of Education to encourage higher education institutions and proprietary institutions to partner with Jobs for America’s Graduates New Jersey to help students in underserved high schools graduate and pursue careers or postsecondary education opportunities in the healthcare field.
Higher education institutions and proprietary institutions interested in participating in the program would be required to submit an application to the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner of Education would be responsible for issuing grants to participating institutions throughout New Jersey to support the program’s implementation and development.
Assembly sponsors Greenwald (D-Camden, Burlington), Chaparro (D-Hudson) and Moen (D-Camden, Gloucester) issued the following joint statement:
“With this bill, we can give high school students in our State another tool to help them succeed in both education and employment while also taking steps to address healthcare worker shortages as we come out of the pandemic.
“This pilot program will open doors for high school students throughout New Jersey by presenting them with information about available career paths in healthcare and offering them the opportunity to overcome challenges, secure an education, and achieve financial security and professional advancement.”