New Jersey Community Colleges Launch AI Training Program Across 18 Institutions
All 18 community colleges in New Jersey will participate in AI Ready NJ, a statewide initiative unveiled June 8 to prepare students and workers for an economy shaped by artificial intelligence. The program provides teacher training, institutional support, and paid internship opportunities for students.
The New Jersey AI Hub and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges launched the collaboration with backing from Microsoft, Princeton University, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and CoreWeave. The state's community colleges serve 255,000 students.
Teacher Grants and Professional Development
Up to 100 teachers across the state will receive microgrants to test how AI integrates into courses, assignments, and assessments. The Council of County Colleges will manage the grant process and create communities of practice where teachers share findings.
Participating colleges will also receive support for professional development and campus-wide implementation. Liat Krawczyk, executive director of the NJ AI Hub, said the program gives colleges "a practical way to build capacity together - supporting faculty as they test new approaches, helping students gain applied experience, and creating stronger feedback loops with employers."
Educators interested in AI training for teachers can explore dedicated resources for integrating these tools into instruction.
Paid Internships for Students
The initiative will pilot what organizers expect to be the nation's first AI-focused Sprinternship model through Break Through Tech. These short, paid micro-internships place students in teams to tackle real business challenges developed by employer partners.
Judith Spitz, founder and CEO of Break Through Tech, said the program "gives them the opportunity to apply it - through real, employer-embedded work-based learning that signals to hiring managers what a transcript cannot."
Broader State Strategy
Gov. Mikie Sherrill framed the program as part of New Jersey's effort to lead in the AI economy. "By investing in people and institutions alike, we are making sure New Jersey is ready to lead in the industries of the future," she said.
The initiative builds on earlier work between the organizations, including the state's AI and machine learning apprenticeship program.
For educators seeking resources on AI for education, the state's investments signal growing demand for faculty trained in these applications.
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