The New Economy Opportunity Skills System Act establishes a pilot program aimed at enhancing collaboration between local workforce development boards and community colleges in New Jersey. The State Employment and Training Commission will initiate this pilot program in three local areas, focusing on joint development of workforce training programs that emphasize industry-recognized credentials, collaborative marketing efforts, integrated funding planning, and performance evaluations based on metrics aligned with federal and state workforce development programs. Additionally, the commission, in consultation with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges, will develop a strategy for statewide alignment and collaboration, which will include guidelines for scaling the pilot program, recommendations for necessary legislative and regulatory changes, and an implementation timeline.

The bill designates community colleges as the preferred providers of postsecondary education, workforce training, and adult literacy programs under state workforce development services. It also includes provisions for appropriating necessary state and federal funds for the program's implementation. The commission is required to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the pilot program's progress, participant outcomes, and recommendations for improvements. The act will take effect immediately and will expire three years after its effective date, although anticipatory administrative actions may be taken beforehand.