RCBC Earns $1.2 Million Workforce Development Grant

On Nov 9, 2017

The NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development selected Rowan College at Burlington County’s (RCBC) Workforce Development Institute to oversee the state’s Transportation, Logistics & Distribution Talent Development Center.

RCBC will receive $1.2 million to serve as a center of excellence in the Transportation, Logistics & Distribution industry sector. The center will create new career pathways and provide for training for people to advance in this growing field.

“Our Workforce Development Institute has developed partnerships with some of the region’s leading employers that have led to new training programs and high-paying careers for residents in Burlington County,” said RCBC Acting President Michael Cioce. “This grant provides the opportunity to build upon our success and develop a statewide training program to fill the demand for skilled workers in transportation, logistics and distribution.”

Talent Development Centers are charged with expanding high-quality, employer-driven partnerships that involve businesses, high schools, universities, labor unions and workforce development boards. The centers focus on providing credential-focused education and training that leads to industry-recognized credentials and articulation to college credit.

“We are proud to partner with our state’s higher education institutions and trust that their knowledge and infrastructure will be able to expand career pathways and apprenticeships that integrate classroom and work-based learning leading to an industry-valued credential,” said NJ Labor Commissioner Aaron R. Fichtner.

RCBC’s Workforce Development Institute launched a new Transportation, Logistics and Distribution training program in 2016 that led to new jobs for over 75 percent of program graduates.

“Transportation, logistics and distribution is a growth industry in our region, and there are not enough skilled workers to meet the market’s demand,” said Anna Payanzo Cotton, RCBC vice president of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning. “We are excited to meet this challenge of increasing the number of workers who are certified for careers in in this industry and keep Burlington County at the forefront of this growing field.”

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