The budget includes $3 million to expand the successful Basic Skills Training program and $8.5 million for collaboration to develop, model and utilize best training practices in key industries, as sought by both groups.

“In a rapidly changing post-pandemic economy, New Jersey must ensure that students and workers have access to the education and training they need to achieve a family-supporting career, and that employers have access to a skilled workforce to propel economic growth,” said Aaron Fichtner, president of NJCCC.

“We thank the Legislature and the Governor for championing an investment in a partnership between Community Colleges, NJBIA, and other educational and workforce development partners to get New Jersey’s economy moving forward,” he said.

“The Basic Skills Training Program has now trained more than 185,000 from over 11,000 businesses since 2007,” said NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Chrissy Buteas. “NJBIA members consistently express a high level of satisfaction from this flexible program, and we are very proud of the reputation it has established over the years.

“Basic skills training and workforce development are permanent needs for both employees and employers, particularly in a post-pandemic world. We thank Governor Murphy and the Legislature for this key investment that will better help fill jobs and spur our economy,” she said.