(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson to encourage community colleges to work with diverse state groups and businesses on workforce basic skills training was released by the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee on Thursday.
“It is important for community colleges to forge relationships with local and statewide groups that reflect or can provide diverse experiences for their students,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “Community colleges are currently directed to work with the New Jersey Business and Industry under current law. This bill encourages community colleges to seek out other viable resources in the state that would enhance basic skills training and better prepare them for workforce challenges.”
Specifically, the bill (A-4473) directs the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to work with state, regional and county organizations that are dedicated to the economic empowerment of segments of society such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, including but not limited to African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and any other appropriate business organizations.
The bill will now go to the Assembly Speaker for further consideration.