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Bill

A 5211

Relates to librarians of school libraries; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Harry Bronson and 5 co-sponsors

Establishes Centers of Workforce Innovation to map clear career pathways and align colleges, employers, and schools, with curricula, financial aid, and expanded apprenticeships.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 5211

Summary: New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act (A-5211)

What the bill does (purpose)

  • Establishes the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative Act and codifies the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative created by the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development.
  • Goals:
    • Provide students, workers, and job seekers with clear career pathways to pursue promising careers.
    • Strengthen partnerships among county colleges, employers, K-12 and vocational-technical schools, four-year institutions, unions, and community-based organizations.
    • Ensure employers have access to a highly skilled workforce to meet critical labor market needs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Centers of Workforce Innovation
    • The bill authorizes the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to establish Centers of Workforce Innovation (Centers) that offer multiple career pathways.
    • Areas include, but are not limited to: patient care; healthcare technology and administration; direct support; manufacturing production and engineering; supply chain logistics; data science; cybersecurity; program and software development; research and development; renewable energy; and construction.
  • Curriculum and instruction
    • Centers must develop curriculum specific to each career pathway.
    • Curricula should be publicly available.
    • Centers must provide students with instruction and skills necessary to gain employment in the targeted pathway.
  • Financial aid and employment pathways
    • Centers should promote the use of Community College Opportunity Grants and other state/federal financial aid to support pathway promotion, including for incumbent workers.
    • Centers should promote the expansion of apprenticeship and other work-based learning opportunities.
  • Collaboration and partnerships
    • Centers are to collaborate with industry leaders and educational partners across the state to expand economic mobility and drive economic growth.
  • Administration and oversight
    • 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 business representatives, shall promote and support the initiative’s implementation.
  • Effective date
    • The act takes effect immediately.

Who is affected

  • State entities: New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Department of Education; Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
  • Education and training institutions: New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development; county colleges; vocational/technical schools; four-year institutions.
  • Students, workers, and job seekers seeking career pathways.
  • Incumbent workers seeking advancement through apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities.
  • Employers and industry partners seeking a skilled workforce.

Timeline and procedural status

  • Introduced: January 16, 2025
  • Initial referrals: Higher Education Committee; subsequently referred to Education (February 12, 2025)
  • Legislative progress:
    • February 20, 2025: Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably.
    • February 20, 2025: Statement to the Assembly describing the act and its purposes.
    • May 22, 2025: Passed Assembly (76-0-2)
    • May 29, 2025: Received in Senate without Reference (companion S-4023 exists)
  • Fiscal note: Not certified as requiring a fiscal note (no explicit cost in the summary provided).

Sponsors and related bills

  • Primary sponsor: Michaelle C. Solages
  • Key cosponsors: Jonathan Jacobson, Jo Anne Simon, Phil Steck, Harry B. Bronson, Marianne Buttenschon
  • Related companion: S 4023

Impact at a glance

  • Creates a formal statewide framework to align education, training, and industry needs through Centers of Workforce Innovation.
  • Emphasizes curriculum transparency, accessible pathways, and expanded work-based learning, including apprenticeships.
  • Leans on existing state financial aid programs to support pathway participation and workforce advancement.

This summary captures the bill’s core aims, directed activities, and the institutions and people likely to be affected, based on the introduced and reported text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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