Community Initiative

In September 2017, Janssen Biotech (Malvern, PA) partnered with Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), and Norristown Area High School (NAHS) to launch a Bridge to Employment (BTE) program in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Targeting 40 tenth grade students enrolled at Norristown Area High School in school year 2017-2018, the three-year program will prepare students to attend and thrive in college and understand career options available in the health sciences and STEM fields. Key program activities include:

• Value Stream Activities—Many of the BTE activities in the first two years will focus on an investigation into a product value stream (aka The Value Stream). Students will be introduced to each functional area through visits to various Johnson & Johnson sites and Montgomery County Community College, hands-on projects, and student presentations.
• Dual Enrollment College Course—BTE students will take, as a cohort, the course Strategies for College Success. The course focuses on Key Academic Behaviors and Contextual Skills and Awareness areas of Conley’s comprehensive college readiness model. Topics include, but are not limited to, goal setting, time management, note-taking skills, test-taking skills, social and emotional intelligence, and college support services and resources
• College and Career-Readiness Workshops—BTE students will visit colleges, sit in on classes, and, along with their parents, participate in various workshops that illustrate the value of college and important information on how to access college.
• Career Coaching—2-3 students will be paired with 1-2 career coaches throughout the program. Career coaches will help students develop soft skills, work with them on life planning, attend community service activities with students, and other activities.