New Jersey City University (NJCU) has entered into a partnership with The BLOC Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The collaboration aims to provide workforce training for underrepresented women in the construction trades by transforming unused space on NJCU’s main campus into a training center.
The BLOC Foundation will use facilities in NJCU’s Visual Arts Building, including the former Jewelry Making Workshop, at no cost. The 16-week program offers hands-on skills training and industry certifications. Participants will also have access to NJCU’s continuing education and academic programs through the Office of Adult and Continuing Education. Each cohort is expected to include 25–30 participants, with an annual goal of certifying between 150 and 200 students.
As part of the agreement, BLOC participants will receive campus access and ID cards during their training. NJCU will provide computer lab access, secured storage, classroom space for online coursework, and auditorium access for events. The BLOC Foundation will supply all necessary tools, materials, and personal protective equipment.
A public signing ceremony is planned at NJCU to mark the partnership. Community leaders, government officials, and stakeholders are expected to attend. Details about the event will be announced later.
The BLOC Foundation focuses on urban redevelopment and economic mobility for groups historically excluded from construction and real estate industries. Its programs serve women—including those who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated—veterans, young adults of color, high school dropouts, and other underrepresented groups. In addition to workforce training that includes nationally recognized certifications, BLOC provides support services such as stipends, childcare assistance, and job placement help.
NJCU President Andrés Acebo commented: “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.”
Wanda Rutledge, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies and Adult and Continuing Education at NJCU said: “By opening our doors to The BLOC Foundation, we are filling a gap in opportunity in our community. 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 initiative supports NJCU’s commitment to workforce development in Jersey City and nearby areas by encouraging graduates of The BLOC program to enroll in further education at NJCU.
State Senator Angela V. McKnight praised the partnership: “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 stated: “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 was signed in November 2025 for one year starting with Fall 2025 cohort but includes provisions for renewal after completion of NJCU’s merger with Kean University into Kean Jersey City expected by Summer 2026.
