The Hudson County Community College will be using an $850,000 investment from JPMorgan Chase to address workforce-related challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“We are exceedingly grateful to JPMorgan Chase for funding our ‘Gateway to Innovation’
initiative,” HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber said in a statement.
“This program is strategically aligned with needs related to the community’s COVID-19 challenges, and the college’s student success and ‘Hudson Helps’ initiatives.”
Reber added that the HCCC “Gateway to Innovation” project was developed to provide short-term, upskilling credential attainment opportunities in health care; career services for alumni in areas such as health care, information technology, finance, insurance, and logistics; enhanced non- academic support for students, including financial counseling and access to benefits such as WIC, SNAP, and citizenship guidance; and deeper engagement with employers in technology, finance and other recession-resistant sectors that will lead to resilient career pathways.
“Our neighbors in Hudson County have been uniquely impacted by challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic,” added JPMorgan Chase Vice President of Global Philanthropy Abby Marquand.
“We are proud to support Hudson County Community College in their effort to develop and enhance sustainable career pipelines that will help more people get back to work in in-
demand industries.”
Over the course of the next year, the College will focus on building relationships with area
employers to define in-demand skill sets; recruiting industry experts for adjunct teaching as well as faculty externships and experiential learning for students; and creating new programs that support and increase student retention and graduation and engage alumni.
The initiative will also target dislocated workers from retail, hospitality and service sectors and help prepare them for recession-resistant careers in health care, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician and Hemodialysis Technician positions.
“The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected many Hudson County businesses, and financially imperiled our students and fellow Hudson County residents,” HCCC Vice President for External Affairs & Senior Counsel to the President Dr. Nick Chiaravalloti, an assemblyman for the 31st Legislative District, said.
“This investment provides the opportunity to assess and address current needs, and to determine and develop strategies and partnerships in several key sectors of our community.”
Employers, community members, students and alumni may obtain more information about the HCCC “Gateway to Innovation” initiative, and how to participate in it, by contacting Lori
Margolin, HCCC Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, at LMargolin@hccc.edu or 201-360-4242.
