Second Annual NJ Pathways to Career

Opportunities Summit



We're excited to share that more than 350 New Jersey Community Colleges, education partners, state government partners, as well as workforce partners, business partners, and national experts gathered for our second annual NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities Summit at Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino! The conference's theme, “Expanding Innovative Workforce and Education Partnerships,” focused on equitable education and training pathways which align to the needs of business.

Our national speakers discussed the trends and innovations in education and training, specifically about national lessons learned regarding equity and access to high-quality credentials, the benefits of credential transparency to students, jobseekers, and employers, work-based learning and apprenticeships, and the overall future of work.

This initiative brings together industry and education partners to form an education ecosystem that is connected statewide and is guided by industry leaders to build an innovative workforce in the Garden State. Our cutting-edge initiative now has more than 1,800 industry and education partners statewide helping to propel New Jersey’s economy to new heights and it’s programs have served over 6,500 students, adult learners, and education professionals.

The seven national speakers were (not all pictured here): Dr. Chauncey Lennon, Vice President for Learning Work and Senior Strategy Advisor, Lumina Foundation; Scott Cheney, CEO, Credential Engine; Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer, Indiana Commission for Higher Education; Charlotte Cahill, Associate Vice President, Education, Jobs for the Future; Amanda Winters, Program Director, Post-Secondary Education, National Governors Association; Keith Witham, Vice President of Education, Philanthropy, Ascendium Education; and Paul Fain, Work Shift and The Job and the Cusp Podcast (former reporter and editor for Inside Higher Ed).

NJ Pathways Projects Highlights



The diligent work of New Jersey’s Community Colleges, and their education and workforce partners, have resulted in 45 NJ Pathways Projects in Year 2 of the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative. These Pathways Projects are aligning education to build an innovative workforce, and this segment highlights the incredible progress of these projects as they change the workforce landscape and meet the needs of key industries in New Jersey.  

NJ Community College Pathway Happenings

Witness the results of the NJ Pathway initiative in real time. NJ’s Community Colleges are hosting NJ Pathways fueled events, convenings, competitions, speaking engagements, and other notable happenings across New Jersey — and this is the place to get the scoop! 

NJ Pathways Alumni Spotlight



Our NJ Pathways Student & Alumni Spotlights feature the remarkable journeys and triumphs of the diverse student body of NJ’s Community Colleges that participate in NJ Pathways programs. Celebrating their achievements, aspirations, and the unique paths they tread towards success, these narratives illuminate the resilience, passion, and drive that define our community. 

About the NJ Pathways Initiative

New Jersey’s Community Colleges and the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA) partnered to launch this unprecedented education and training pathways initiative for strengthening the state’s workforce for residents, businesses, and the economy for years to come.

With the New Jersey Pathways to Career Opportunities Initiative (NJ Pathways), NJ joins leading states that are transforming their statewide education and workforce development resources to better and more equitably serve students and workers. This transformation includes an intentional commitment to shared goals across the ecosystem of high schools, colleges and universities, employers, labor unions, nonprofits, the public workforce system, and others.  

Download our brochures to learn more.

Visit our website to learn more about everything NJ Pathways: