ECC Gets Grant to Offer Courses in IT

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded Essex County College a $2.75 million grant to create three new associate degree programs within 18 months in the field of information technology. The new degree programs will be in cyber security and networks, software development, and health information technology.

            “These are high-growth, high-demand areas. By integrating these programs into our already rigorous academic offerings, it will only continue to better position our students and alumni for future success in the workplace,” said Dr. Gale E. Gibson, interim President of Essex County College. “In addition, as a benefactor of this cutting-edge funding, Essex can expand our workforce development efforts to those who are unemployed or under-employed.”

            One of the goals of the grant is to attract more women into these technical careers.

The labor department awarded ECC another grant for $1,037,225 to be used to create a set of credentials in supply chain management.  That program will consist of eight credentials that will provide workers with skills for entry and middle-level employment in supply chain management. The program is called Leveraging, Integrating, Networking, and Coordinating Supplies  in Supply Chain Management.

            The course curriculum will be developed through a collaboration of ECC faculty with the  Newark Area Industry Linked Information Technology program, and national technical assistance experts from the Washington-based advocacy groups Wider Opportunities for Women and Jobs for the Future.

Some of the private companies that will be involved in the process include Prudential, NJ Transit, Barnabas Health, and East Orange General Hospital.