County College of Morris wins state-backed AI apprenticeship grant, one of two schools chosen
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — County College of Morris has been selected as one of only two community colleges in New Jersey to help train workers in data science and artificial intelligence through a new apprenticeship program backed by a U.S. Department of Labor registered grant, the college said.
CCM and Camden County College were chosen to partner with the AI Hub at Princeton University and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, according to the announcement. The program is supported by what the college described as the state’s first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Data Scientist AI Apprenticeship grant and is intended to cover tuition and fees for apprentices preparing for careers in data science and AI.
The 16- to 18-month program combines classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training, the college said. Apprentices will work with industry mentors and learn to apply statistical methods, programming and machine learning techniques to analyze data and develop predictive models, according to the announcement.
Participants who complete the program will earn a nationally recognized U.S. Department of Labor Certificate of Completion and a 30-credit academic Certificate in Data Science from CCM, which the college said can be stacked toward an associate degree and transfer pathways to four-year institutions. The college also said participants are expected to earn about $48,880 in wages during the on-the-job training period.
“It is an honor to partner with the AI Hub at Princeton University, a unique collaboration that is proving essential to transforming New Jersey’s workforce and economy,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris. “As the future of work becomes increasingly tied to competencies in artificial intelligence, CCM is well positioned to lead efforts to meet the growing demand for data science and AI expertise.”
The New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development is serving as the program sponsor. Prospective participants or employers interested in partnering were directed to contact Virginia Rich at vrich@ccm.edu or 973-328-5723.
