By Philip Kirschner & Ronald Winthers
Originally published as a Web Extra in the Asbury Park Press

According to recent news articles, several prominent New Jersey economists are saying our state's economy may not turn around until 2010 or 2011, and New Jersey could lose as many as 265,000 jobs before we emerge from the recession.

One statewide resource that can contribute to getting our economy back on track is our community colleges. Responding to Gov. Jon Corzine's call to make the economy "Priority number one, priority number two and priority number three,'' New Jersey's 19 community colleges have launched several programs for individuals who are out of work or unsure of their future employment status.

Statewide, community colleges are offering tuition waivers for unemployed residents who have been in the workforce for at least two years and are now unemployed. Individuals can register for classes on a space-available basis, and community colleges will waive tuition. To qualify for tuition waivers, unemployed residents must first contact their county's employment and training facility, also known as the one-stop career centers.

In 2008, nearly 2,600 unemployed residents attended community colleges using tuition waivers, and community colleges waived nearly $2.2 million in tuition. Early indicators show we will exceed these numbers this year. During the first two months of 2009, over 1,000 unemployed residents are attending community colleges using tuition waivers, and community colleges have waived $1.2 million in tuition for these individuals.

Many of New Jersey's community colleges are also hosting job-hunting workshops for unemployed residents. Topics include preparing resumes and cover letters and improving interview skills. Some community colleges are hosting career search expos, inviting local employers to the campuses to meet with potential job applicants.

In addition to training unemployed workers so that they can re-enter the workforce, community colleges are helping companies retain employees by providing customized courses in workplace skills. Last year, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association partnered with the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to create the Basic Skills Workforce Training Program, funded by a $1.88 million grant from the NJ Labor Department. Under the leadership of Commissioner David Socolow, this public-private partnership is making great strides to provide much-needed workforce training to small businesses throughout the state.

Since the program's inception, community colleges have trained over 3,500 employees from over 225 different small businesses in nearly 200 classes throughout the state. Classes have included various levels of Microsoft Office personal computer skills training; various levels of English as a second language training; specific communication courses in verbal, written and customer service skills; and mathematics and measurements skills training.

The Workforce Consortium is also working with the New Jersey Labor Department to develop and deliver training to respond to targeted professions that are in demand, despite the current economy. These jobs, which the Labor Department outlined in its recent report Real Time Jobs in Demand, include: computer support specialist, computer network administration specialist, computer network engineering specialist, computer programming specialist, medical office administrator, electro-mechanical engineering technician, environmental & energy efficiency technology specialist, middle school math teacher, and middle school science teacher.

Community colleges hope to expand these programs and develop new ones through the federal economic stimulus package recently enacted by President Barack Obama and the United States Congress. Nationwide, this bill will provide $3 billion for dislocated worker and youth training programs. An additional $1 billion will be targeted to "green jobs'' and the health care sector. Most importantly, county training offices, known as workforce investment boards, will be able to contract directly with community colleges to offer these programs.

While providing programs to unemployed residents may stretch our community colleges thin, we realize people are hurting and need help now. Our community colleges are committed to serving as the road to economic recovery by helping current employees strengthen their job skills and by helping unemployed residents get back into the workforce.