The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) is the region’s largest and most influential business association with 1,100 members of varying sizes and industry types, including approximately 100 nonprofit and community organizations within its membership from the seven most southern counties of South Jersey. We are proud to call every institution of higher education at the university and county-level in South Jersey an active member. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today about our work with county colleges on workforce development.

The CCSNJ is proud of the strong partnerships we have with the South Jersey county colleges. In addition to highlighting the campuses of the 5 county colleges at multiple events during the year, the CCSNJ has connected countless members with the county colleges to bring together businesses looking to hire entry level candidates with students, and partner on employee training and certification programs.

The South Jersey region faces unique challenges. Even prior to the pandemic, South Jersey has historically experienced higher unemployment than the rest of the state. The pandemic severely impacted some of the region’s leading industries; tourism, gaming, entertainment, and hospitality. Many workers were forced to shift careers and the county colleges have provided opportunities for these workers to reskill or upskill, while transitioning to a new career.

Additionally, the South Jersey economic landscape has seen several new industries enter the region. One such industry, offshore wind, offers exciting opportunities for workers and students of all skill levels to train and secure high-growth, high-wage jobs in this emerging energy sector that will also spur economic growth in New Jersey. The New Jersey Wind Port, which will be located at the Paulsboro Marine Terminal in Gloucester County, is estimated to create 1,500 jobs and approximately $500 million of new economic activity every year in the state.

The county colleges in the region recognized the need to ensure a trained workforce from the region is important to the success of this industry. The CCSNJ was proud to support Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) in their application and eventual grant of the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge. The has CCSNJ pledged to collaborate with the community college, business partners and others to assist in developing innovative career pathways and training aligned with employer needs.

Additionally, the CCSNJ supported Atlantic Cape Community College’s submission and grant of the New Jersey Offshore Wind Safety Training Challenge. Atlantic Cape was awarded $2.9M for the Wind Training Center facility located at the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus. The Wind Training Center will provide the Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Safety Training w/Sea Survival.

The CCSNJ has worked with county colleges to help bring manufacturing back to South Jersey. The eight southern counties in New Jersey are home to more manufacturing companies than 20 different states across the country. Additionally, although employment in manufacturing is highly concentrated in the state’s more populated areas, the southern region of New Jersey makes up a larger percentage of total private sector employment in the industry. In order to keep the industry growing, a trained workforce is vital. The CCSNJ has partnered with the county colleges to ensure students can be trained in and qualify for these careers.

As mentioned before, county colleges have provided a life-line for both young adults and those further along in their careers that are looking to improve their employment opportunities. As a leader in the region’s business community, the CCSNJ is proud of the work that these institutions accomplish.