Johnson & Johnson has launched NJBioFutures, a public-private workforce development initiative in collaboration with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges. The program aims to create a skilled talent pipeline for the cell and gene therapeutics sector by developing industry-aligned curricula and training facilities at three community colleges: Raritan Valley Community College, Middlesex College, and Mercer County Community College.

As the founding sponsor, Johnson & Johnson is contributing $1 million to support the initiative, which includes a 22,000-square-foot expansion of the Workforce Training Center at RVCC. The program will provide specialized education and training in advanced manufacturing techniques used in cell and gene therapy.

Company leaders, including Chairman and CEO Joaquin Duato and Chief Technical Operations & Risk Officer Kathy Wengel, joined state officials such as New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy and Department of Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo to emphasize the importance of workforce development in healthcare innovation.

New Jersey, home to eight of the world’s top ten pharmaceutical companies, is a leader in life sciences. NJBioFutures aims to strengthen the state’s role in biopharmaceutical innovation by preparing the next generation of professionals to tackle major healthcare challenges.