What “essential skills” do you see as most critical for the future workforce in New Jersey?
TESU’s consistent engagement with community partners, employers, and our mid-career students makes it clear that advancing technology is shaping New Jersey’s industry and workforce demands. We find that technological literacy, cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing are the most in-demand industry-specific skills, while soft skills – such as problem solving, communication, critical thinking, and adaptability – remain vital to competitiveness in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Also important are durable skills that transcend specific industries – such as creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, adaptability and resilience, collaborative problem solving, leadership and teamwork, and effective communication. These collective skills ensure that TESU graduates future-proof their careers through adaption, growth and leadership.
How is your institution partnering with employers to ensure graduates are workforce-ready?
TESU utilizes Industry Advisory Councils to inform real-time, real-world program development. These councils include subject matter experts from various industries and play a critical role in ensuring our degrees are consistently aligned with industry needs.
Additionally, TESU is home to CREATENJ which stands for the Center for Career Relevant Education and Talent Evaluation of New Jersey. CREATENJ is the result of legislation signed into law by Gov. Murphy and designates TESU as the hub for the evaluation and transcription of college level workforce learning. The center will maximize collaborations between employers, partner organizations, and institutions of higher education that develop and implement career pathways for nontraditional students and workforce development programs.
A standout example is our partnership with the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Center — the largest registered apprenticeship program in New Jersey — and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, which operates one of the nation’s largest pre-apprenticeship programs. Through these collaborations, TESU has translated apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training into significant college credit — up to 74 credits in some cases — saving students significant time and money and accelerating their path to a degree while they learn valuable on-the-job skills. All without any student debt.
In another example, TESU is also advancing healthcare workforce development. In 2023, we secured a $2.7 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to strengthen the mental health workforce in New Jersey, partnering with major hospitals to prepare the next generation of psychiatric and mental health professionals.
At TESU, these partnerships are transforming workforce pathways—proving that education can meet people where they are, honor what they know, and open doors to what’s next.
What efforts are being made to reach underrepresented communities and ensure equitable access to workforce pathways?
TESU is primarily an open-admission institution committed to expanding opportunity for all learners, particularly working adults balancing education with personal and professional responsibilities. As a flexible and affordable option, TESU uses traditional, digital, and experiential outreach to meet prospective students where they are.
TESU has the lowest undergraduate tuition across all N.J. public four-year institutions. Rather than select certain students to receive tuition discounts, we keep our tuition affordable for anyone who is committed to advancing their careers. Further, through our partnerships with community colleges across the state and on-the- job learning evaluation, we accept more credit towards a degree than any other N.J. university.
The impact of these efforts is reflected in our diverse student body, which spans ages 18 to 80 and includes recent homeschool graduates, military veterans and career changers. By focusing on career advancement, professional growth, and empowerment, TESU ensures equitable access to workforce pathways for every community we serve.
We were founded to respect learning regardless of where it occurs and to be New Jersey’s university resource for working adults. We pride ourselves in continuing to excel at just that.
