New Skills for Youth Phase One Snapshot: New Jersey

This snapshot profile describes New Jersey's work during Phase One of the New Skills for Youth initiative.

New Skills for Youth Phase One Snapshot: New Jersey

New Jersey’s career readiness system has strong foundations in place, most notably through a system of engaging employers. That engagement is achieved with the state’s Talent Networks; a comprehensive secondary data system; and a productive partnership of the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD), Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and Department of Education (DOE). During Phase One of New Skills for Youth (NSFY), the team prioritized bridging the gaps between state data systems to facilitate the state’s ability to engage in practical and cross-sector data-based decisionmaking. This work included developing and measuring career readiness indicators, including tracking attainment of industry-recognized credentials and including them in the state’s annual School Performance Report.

Phase One of JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s New Skills for Youth grant extended from May to October 2016. With bold visions for improving career readiness in K-12 education, each Phase One state spent the grant period performing a diagnostic assessment of their career preparation system and preparing for implementation of a new action plan. This snapshot describes New Jersey’s experience and progress in Phase One, including promising practices and innovations. Additional snapshots from other Phase One New Skills for Youth states are available here.