Founded over 100 years ago, Essex County Schools of Technology has long understood that education cannot exist in isolation. Its model integrates staterequired academic standards with hands-on, careerfocused experiences that allow students to graduate with both knowledge and direction. Whether a student’s next step is college, immediate entry into the workforce, or entrepreneurship, the district’s approach is designed to ensure readiness at every level. CAREER PATHWAYS DRIVEN BY WORKFORCE DEMAND At the core of the district’s strategy is a dynamic Career and Technical Education framework led by Dr. Cathleen DelaPaz, Director of Career and Technical Education Academies. Rather than treating career programs as static offerings, Essex County Schools continually evaluates labor market data, student interest, and employer feedback to refine and expand its pathways. Healthcare has emerged as one of the most urgent regional needs, and the district has responded decisively. Over the past three years, health career academies have expanded to include pathways in medical assisting, pre-nursing, dental studies, and EMT training. These programs are supported by partnerships with major healthcare systems such as Hackensack Meridian Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, ensuring curriculum relevance and access to industry-grade equipment. The results are tangible. Students regularly earn certifications before graduating high school, and many receive employment inquiries almost immediately after passing their exams.According to district leadership, it is not uncommon for students to be contacted by employers days after certification, underscoring the value of a program built in direct response to workforce shortages. Beyond healthcare, the district has strengthened offerings in information technology, logistics, construction trades, robotics, and business. The school is also very proud of its pathways that lead to apprenticeship programs with unions in the area. Supporting all these endeavors is the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is encouraging of the experience and practical skills students are earning through the district community ties. Essex Tech administers a construction pre-apprenticeship training program in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This training program prepares students for the growing number of skilled construction apprenticeship positions in NJ, preparing them to fill the need in the workforce. A newly approved Computer Information and 273 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02 ESSEX COUNTY SCHOOLS OF TECHNOLOGY
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