2. a. The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development shall consult with each county college in the State to foster the development of certificate programs that connect regional employers to the county colleges in the collaborative development of programs that meet the unique needs of the employer and are directly connected to the knowledge and skills required by the employer. The certificate programs established by a county college shall be directly targeted to business and industry located in the region that have an identified and immediate need to hire employees with education and skills that are not being addressed through available training and educational opportunities.

b. (1) Under a certificate program, the employer shall develop the curriculum to ensure that it is directly aligned to the needs of the employer. The employer shall consult with appropriate faculty at the county college for assistance in the curriculum development and to receive faculty input and feedback to ensure the alignment of the curriculum.

(2) The employer may prescreen candidates prior to enrollment in the certificate program to ensure that the candidate demonstrates the aptitudes, abilities, and qualities sought by the employer.

(3) The county college shall provide the faculty for the certificate program and shall make college facilities available for the program. Upon agreement with an employer, certificate program classes may be provided on-site at the employer’s business location.

(4) An employer may hire an individual enrolled in a certificate program prior to completion of the program with continued employment dependent upon successful completion. The county college shall issue a certificate to each individual who successfully completes the program to indicate that the individual has acquired the requisite knowledge and skills for employment in the identified field or occupation.

(5) An employer who participates in the development of the certificate program shall make a commitment to interview all graduates of the program for employment positions that are available at the time of the participant’s completion of the program.

L.2019, c.228, s.2.