The New Brunswick government introduced legislation Tuesday to create two autonomous corporations to run the English and French community college systems.

Post-secondary Education Minister Donald Arseneault said the independent boards will allow the colleges to tailor programs for the job market.

He said the old system may have limited some funding opportunities for the colleges.

"It didn't provide that greater flexibility in order to go out and seek new funding for research, as an example, with other government agencies, or some opportunities with the private sector," he said.

"Maybe the private sector was kind of reluctant to make partnerships with a government body."

Arseneault said each corporation will have a board of governors that will have to provide a five-year strategic plan for government approval.

The new system is expected to be in place by April.