NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today announced $15,000,000 in federal funding has been awarded to 12 New Jersey community colleges to train students for jobs in the healthcare field.

"This is the kind of public-private partnership that puts people on a career path to success by directly linking practical skills training with local businesses looking to hire," said Sen. Menendez. "This federal funding will help give unemployed and underemployed New Jerseyans the skillset they need to compete for today's in-demand jobs."

"Our nation's youth are our greatest natural resource and giving them the skills they need to land good paying jobs will strengthen our middle class and fill the skills gap," said Sen. Booker. "This $15 million federal grant to 12 of New Jersey's community colleges will allow them to partner with employers to expand career training programs for in-demand Jobs. I have fought for legislation and funding to help our young people enter industries like healthcare and manufacturing and will continue to fight for these resources."

The grants include:

  • Bergen Community College - $6,101,147
  • Brookdale Community College - $820,400
  • County College of Morris - $774,488
  • Essex County College - $819,100
  • Hudson County Community College - $822,910
  • Mercer County Community College - $732,777
  • Middlesex County Community College - $825,000
  • Ocean County College - $824,450
  • Passaic County Community College - $836,144
  • Raritan Valley Community College - $817,163
  • Sussex County Community College - $822,048
  • Union County College - $804,372

The Bergen Community College Consortium partners with over twenty employers to provide students with the opportunity to enter in regional healthcare career pathways. The Consortium ensures that the participants in the program receive the training that is essential to obtaining desired careers in the healthcare field, including for nursing, emergency technician, home health aide, medication aide, medical administrative assistant and other credentialed professions.

Today's announcement is part of a $450 million investment in job-driven training through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grant program administered in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education. Nearly 270 community colleges across the county received grant awards.

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