New Jersey City University Partners with The BLOC Foundation to Expand Workforce Development and Access to Higher Education

JERSEY CITY, N.J. | New Jersey City University (NJCU) has announced a formal partnership with The BLOC Foundation, a New Jersey–based nonprofit social impact organization founded in Elizabeth, N.J., dedicated to empowering underrepresented groups in the construction industry. The agreement, which transforms unused campus space into a gateway for underrepresented women in the construction trades, establishes a workforce training program on NJCU's main campus and creates a direct pathway from hands-on skills development to college-level credentials and degree programs.

Under the terms of the partnership, BLOC will utilize space in NJCU's Visual Arts Building on Culver Avenue — including the university's former Jewelry Making Workshop — at no cost to deliver its 16-week comprehensive construction training curriculum. The program provides participants with hands-on skills training, industry certifications, and direct access to NJCU's continuing education and academic programs through the Office of Adult and Continuing Education. Each training cohort is expected to include 25–30 participants, with an annual goal of certifying 150–200 students.

The agreement represents a creative and mission-driven use of underutilized campus space, converting a former arts facility into a workforce development hub serving groups who have historically been excluded from the construction trades. BLOC participants will receive NJCU campus access and ID cards for the duration of their training, with the university providing computer lab access, secured storage, classroom space to support online certification coursework, and auditorium access for special events, guest speakers, and presentations. BLOC will supply all tools, materials, and personal protective equipment.

NJCU and The BLOC Foundation will co-host a public signing ceremony at NJCU, bringing together community leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders to celebrate the partnership, which was formed in November, and explore opportunities for future collaboration. Details on the event will be announced in the near future.

The mission of BLOC (The Black Ladies of Construction), 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is to drive urban redevelopment and create economic mobility for those who have historically been left out of the construction and real estate industries. BLOC serves women — including incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women — veterans, young adults of color, high school dropouts, and other underrepresented groups through its development programs that combine classroom instruction which include nationally recognized certifications. To reduce barriers to participation and completion, BLOC provides wraparound support services including stipends, childcare assistance, and job placement help. Beyond workforce training, the organization works to revitalize blighted urban communities through affordable housing development and other redevelopment initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

NJCU President Andrés Acebo ​​celebrated the partnership, saying: "At NJCU, we have always believed that opportunity must meet people where they are — rooted in the communities we are privileged to serve. Our partnership with The BLOC Foundation is a powerful expression of that belief, opening doors for women who have long been underrepresented in the trades and creating a clear pathway from workforce training to higher education. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that makes our campus, and our community, stronger.”

"By opening our doors to The BLOC Foundation, we are filling a gap in opportunity in our community,” said Wanda Rutledge, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies, and Adult and Continuing Education. "Our goal is for every participant who completes BLOC's training to see our campus as the next step in their journey, whether that means pursuing a certificate, an associate degree, or beyond."

The partnership also aligns with NJCU's broader commitment to workforce development and urban engagement, serving the diverse communities of Jersey City and the surrounding region. Participants who successfully complete The BLOC program will be actively encouraged to enroll in NJCU degree and certificate programs, creating a seamless transition from community-based training to higher education.

New Jersey State Senator Angela V. McKnight (LD31), a longtime advocate for workforce equity and community investment, praised the collaboration. "The underrepresented groups served by The BLOC Foundation are builders — in every sense of the word," said Senator McKnight. "This partnership between NJCU and BLOC is proof that when universities and community organizations work together, they can open doors that were never accessible before. I am proud to champion initiatives like this that give our underrepresented residents — particularly women of color — the tools, credentials, and confidence to thrive in industries such as the construction trades, that have long overlooked them."

Natasha Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of The BLOC Foundation, emphasized the partnership's potential as a national model. "Our partnership with NJCU creates a powerful pathway that connects workforce training directly to higher education, allowing participants to transition from hands-on skill development into college-level credentials and degree programs," said Davis. "This collaboration strengthens our outcomes by expanding access to continuing education, increasing credential attainment, and aligning training with academic rigor and workforce demand. Most importantly, it serves as a replicable model for how universities and community-based training providers can work together to build equitable, sustainable workforce pipelines."

The agreement, signed in November 2025, runs for one year from the launch of the Fall 2025 cohort and is designed to be renewed and expanded. Notably, the partnership includes provisions to carry forward the program after the completion of the merger with Kean University to form Kean Jersey City, expected to be finalized in Summer 2026.

About NJCU: 
New Jersey City University is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Consistent with our mission, NJCU is recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, ensuring students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of New Jersey. On July 1, 2026, NJCU is expecting to complete a merger with Kean University to join the Kean University system to become Kean Jersey City.

    —www.NJCU.edu—

Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301