As part of Middlesex County’s $25 million investment in the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, Middlesex County and RWJBarnabas Health unveiled the RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership. This partnership aims to create unique educational pathways and curricula for the benefit of Middlesex College and Middlesex County Magnet School students, as well as meet the future workforce needs of the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health.
Highlights of the RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership include:
- Three educational tracks, including one new one, sterile processing technician, and updates to two existing curricula — patient care technician and Certified Medical Assistant — at Middlesex College and the magnet schools;
- Internships and volunteer opportunities for college and magnet school students throughout the RWJBarnabas Health system;
- Job placement for college and magnet school students who obtain a degree or certification;
- Additional resources for workforce development via incumbent worker training and SkillUp Middlesex Learning Platform to support upskilling existing RWJBarnabas Health employees.
“The new RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership will create a powerful health and life sciences ecosystem right here in Middlesex County,” Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald Rios said. “We’re making good on our promise that we made in May 2020, to invest in our residents by ensuring they are workforce-ready, and have opportunities for long-term, gainful employment. This partnership will benefit our trusted partners RWJBarnabas Health and the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center, as well as students from our Middlesex County Magnet Schools and Middlesex College, now and into the future.”
“As an anchor institution, we are committed to creating and sustaining healthy communities throughout New Jersey by providing employment opportunities and supporting local economies,” RWJBarnabas Health CEO and President Mark Manigan said. “This partnership will enable us to significantly expand access to health care education and workforce development in Middlesex County. Together, we are investing in the long-term well-being of our communities by training the healthcare providers of tomorrow.”
“Thanks to the generous support and partnership with Middlesex County, we are able to provide training opportunities and education programming that will lead to new career paths for county residents,” Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Director and RWJBarnabas Health Senior Vice President, Oncology Services Dr. Steven K. Libutti said. “As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, it is most appropriate that we provide an environment conducive to the training of the next generation workforce that will help to bring the highest level of cancer care to patients across New Jersey and beyond at the Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center.”
Consistent with the principles of Destination 2040, the RWJBarnabas Health Workforce Partnership will continue to evolve to meet the growing needs of the life science sector.
