Building better education and training initiatives to meet the needs of businesses was the focus of the recent 2nd annual NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities Summit. The event brought together more than 350 community college leaders, workforce partners, business partners, state government and education officials, and national experts.
The New Jersey Council of County Colleges hosted the “Expanding Innovative Workforce and Education Partnerships” summit in Atlantic City. Nationally renowned speakers discussed trends and innovations in education and training.
Presentations included lessons learned regarding equity and access to high-quality credentials, benefits of credential transparency to students, jobseekers, employers, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and the overall future of work.
“Hearing the insightful perspectives and experiences of these national thought leaders and engaging in conversations with them helps us chart the path for Year Three of the Pathways Initiative,” said Catherine Starghill, Esq., vice president of the New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC).
“As we build on the momentum of our accomplishments with more than 1,800 educational and business partners across New Jersey, the forward-thinking dialogue at this summit helps us think outside of the box and push our boundaries even further as we dive deeper into this transformative infrastructure of collaboration,” Starghill added.
The seven national speakers were:
- Chauncey Lennon, Ph.D., Vice President for Learning Work and Senior Strategy Advisor at Lumina Foundation
- Scott Cheney, CEO at Credential Engine
- Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer at Indiana Commission for Higher Education
- Charlotte Cahill, Associate Vice President for Education at Jobs for the Future
- Amanda Winters, Program Director for Post-Secondary Education at National Governors Association
- Keith Witham, Vice President for Education Philanthropy at Ascendium Education
- Paul Fain, veteran journalist and host of “The Cusp,” a new Work Shift podcast about AI’s impacts on education and work
“Navigating thousands of education and training choices is a challenge for anyone looking to get the right skills for their career path,” Cheney said. “New Jersey’s community colleges are working to make that easier through more transparency... Credential Engine is pleased to support this work so that New Jersey’s education systems are more equitable.”
Cahill stated: “We need to think about perceptions about industries... We need to think about navigation in those career paths that break down pre-conceived ideas.”
NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities was formed by New Jersey’s community colleges along with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) to create an education ecosystem connected statewide. This initiative now has over 1,800 industry and education partners statewide.
Fain commented: “This is a must-watch ambitious project from New Jersey community colleges. The Pathways work touches on all promising strategies I’m hearing about as states seek tighter connections between education and work.”
Brian Bridges Ph.D., Secretary of Higher Education; Michael McDonough Ph.D., President Raritan Valley Community College; Christopher Emigholz Chief Government Affairs Officer NJBIA gave opening remarks.
“NJBIA is proud to partner with New Jersey’s Community Colleges on this initiative so businesses have a seat when determining necessary college educations needed for future jobs,” Emigholz said.
NJ Pathways milestones include:
- Creation of four industry collaboratives focused on health services.
- Sustainable partnerships between industry/education ensuring future employees have necessary skills.
- Engagements with over 1,800 industry/education partners.
- Creation of ten Centers focused on workforce innovation.
- Developmental pathways/workshops/apprenticeships/professional development sessions.
Over 6,500 participants engaged in NJ Pathways funded activities.
Photo caption: (L-R) Scott Cheney; Catherine Starghill; Charlotte Cahill; Ken Sauer; Paul Fain; Brian Bridges; Aaron Fichtner; Chauncey Lennon – Photo courtesy Think Media Communications.
About NJCCC:
Governed by presidents/trustees from 18 community colleges enshrined in state law. NJCCC supports over 230k students annually across 49 locations fostering collaboration expanding access promoting equity creating skilled workforce driving economic growth.
