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Vocational schools report uptick in interest as traditional college gets pricier (NJ Spotlight News)

September 9, 2022

Donald M Payne Sr School

Click here for a video on NJ Spotlight news highlighting the increased interest in county vocational-technical schools among both parents and students.

It appears education for skilled trades is making a comeback among high school students. Vocational schools report they are seeing an uptick in demand. It’s an appealing alternative to the four-year college experience that’s left too many saddled with burdensome debt and few, low-paying career prospects.

“A lot of people think we are old trade schools, and we are far from that. We do offer a host of AP courses… We have an honors program and various academic programs; I would go up against a comprehensive high school any day as far as our academics.” said Mr. Eric Love, principal, of Essex County Donald M. Payne Senior School of Technology.

Watch the video to accompany this story, which originally appeared on NJ Spotlight News Sept. 8, 2022.

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Sen. Vin Gopal receives 2026 CTE Leadership Award for ongoing support of career education in New Jersey

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Senator Vin Gopal has received the 2026 CTE Leadership Award from the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVTS) in recognition of his ongoing efforts to strengthen career and technical education (CTE) in the state. Over nearly 9 years in office, and as current chair of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Gopal has taken the time to understand the value of CTE and become a well-informed advocate for county vocational-technical schools