strong industry partnerships. Today, New Jersey’s CTE programs are widely regarded as a national best practice, and recent investments have set the stage for even greater impact in the decades ahead. A MISSION ROOTED IN STUDENT SUCCESS At its core, the mission of career technical education in New Jersey is simple yet profound: to connect students with high-demand, high-skill, and highwage careers while ensuring they graduate ready for both college and the workforce. Students can choose from a wide range of programs, from long-standing fields such as automotive and culinary arts to cutting-edge areas like mechatronics, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. The guiding philosophy is that education must be engaging, relevant, and responsive to the needs of students and employers alike. “What energizes us most is seeing students completely engrossed in their learning,” one CTE leader explained. “These programs provide not just skills, but also a sense of belonging and confidence in their future.” TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENT: THE 2018 BOND ACT A watershed moment in recent history came in 2018, when New Jersey voters overwhelmingly approved a $275 million bond act dedicated to expanding CTE opportunities. The funds were used to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing vocational schools: limited space. The investment added 4,700 new student seats and created 47 new career programs across the state. Planning was a collaborative process, engaging employers, workforce development boards, educators, parents, and community groups to ensure that expansions aligned with local and statewide economic priorities. “These projects weren’t just about bricks and mortar,” one participant emphasized. “They were about creating opportunities—programs in advanced manufacturing, sports medicine, biotechnology, and more—that directly connect students to the careers shaping our economy.” 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 09 CAREER TECH NEW JERSEY (CTNJ)
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx