Union County Review

Kean University has initiated the Certificate in Workforce Readiness (CWR), a pilot program aimed at providing families of students involved in the university’s pre-college initiatives with career skills and resources. This initiative is part of Kean's Generation 2 Generation (G2G) Family University, which offers free classes to parents and caregivers on resume writing, interviewing strategies, and other job market skills.

Kean President Lamont O. Repollet stated, “The Certificate in Workforce Readiness program empowers parents and caregivers to develop essential career skills, all while their children thrive in Kean’s pre-college programs.” He emphasized that this initiative aims to create opportunities that benefit families and communities.

Launched in early 2024 through a collaboration between Kean's John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research and the Division of Entrepreneurial Education Initiatives, the G2G Family University received $1 million in federal funding for its first two years.

The CWR program complements existing Kean programs focused on college readiness for students from underserved backgrounds. These include the Kean Scholar Academy, Project Adelante, High School Partnerships, Upward Bound, and various summer programs.

Joseph Youngblood II highlighted the impact of this investment by saying it "creates a ripple effect of positive change within families." The CWR program will eventually offer a nine-credit-hour certificate covering career preparation, interpersonal communication, and computer fundamentals.

Sancha Gray expressed enthusiasm about the program's potential to equip participants with critical career planning skills. “We believe a certification in Career Workforce Readiness not only equips parents and caregivers with critical skills in career planning and workforce trends but also empowers them to upskill,” she said.

Currently, fifteen parents and caregivers are enrolled in the first class called Career Preparation. Charles Campbell noted that although these courses are noncredit at present, they may lead to college credits later on. Each class will provide three credits along with microcredentials like career planning.

Participants have access to free tutoring services available around-the-clock in both English and Spanish. The course materials are online open resources, removing textbook costs. The curriculum includes mentoring, career coaching, communication skills training, and financial literacy education.

“The goal is to provide students with an advantage in job searches and career enhancement,” Campbell explained regarding the intended benefits for participants demonstrating their newly acquired knowledge and skills.