For more than 100 years, career technical education (CTE) has been a cornerstone of New Jersey’s education system, preparing generations of students for meaningful careers in trades, industry, and emerging professions.
What began as a pathway into traditional vocational fields has evolved into a dynamic and collaborative model that blends academic excellence, hands-on training, and 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 high-wage 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.”
The results speak volumes. New buildings, state-of the-art labs, and expanded facilities have allowed vocational and technical schools to dramatically increase enrollment and offer programs that reflect the industries of tomorrow.
BUILDING BRIDGES: THE ROLE OF PARTNERSHIPS
Perhaps the most defining feature of New Jersey’s CTE model is its deep collaboration with industry and higher education. Advisory boards that include local employers play a critical role in shaping curricula, ensuring programs remain relevant and forward looking.
Students benefit from apprenticeships, internships, shadowing experiences, and hands-on learning opportunities that bring the workplace into the classroom. For example, health sciences students partner with major medical centers, while culinary students work directly with hospitals and food service providers.
“These partnerships are a win-win,” a CTE administrator noted. “Students gain real-world experience, while businesses gain access to a skilled pipeline of future employees.”
The collaboration extends beyond employers. Many vocational schools partner with county colleges and four-year universities, creating seamless pathways for students who want to continue their education. In one standout example, a partnership between Essex County College and NJIT allows students to move smoothly from vocational training into a four-year degree program.
The impact is measurable: 337 students have graduated with associate degrees before even receiving their high school diplomas, proof of how dual enrollment and strong partnerships are redefining the high school experience.
STAYING AHEAD OF WORKFORCE TRENDS
New Jersey’s economy is evolving quickly, and its vocational schools are keeping pace. Programs in advanced manufacturing, global logistics, and cybersecurity reflect the state’s position as both an industrial hub and a center for innovation.
Advisory boards help schools anticipate change, while students themselves often showcase their readiness for the real world in remarkable ways. One example is student involvement in the gubernatorial debates, where CTE students applied their technical and organizational skills to a high-profile civic event.
Leaders also recognize that the next frontier will involve adapting to artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies that are reshaping every industry. Preparing students to thrive in this landscape is now a top priority.
A COLLABORATIVE MODEL WITH NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Behind the success of New Jersey’s CTE system is a culture of collaboration. Superintendents, administrators, and teachers from across districts work together to share best practices, resources, and strategies. This cooperative approach stands in contrast to the competitive models seen in other states and has earned New Jersey recognition as a model for the nation.
“The collaborative spirit makes all the difference,” one participant observed.“It’s not about who’s doing it better—it’s about making sure every student in New Jersey has access to the best opportunities.”
Looking ahead, leaders are focused on expanding access so that more students and families understand what modern CTE has to offer. They also aim to prepare for the future workforce by planning for the skills that will be in demand five, ten, or twenty years from now.
A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITY
For students, families, and businesses alike, the benefits of career technical education in New Jersey are clear. Students gain valuable skills, industry certifications, and even college degrees while still in high school. Businesses gain access to a workforce that is not only skilled but also adaptable to emerging technologies. Communities benefit from schools that are deeply engaged in local economic development.
The future priorities are ambitious: embracing the impact of AI, expanding dual enrollment opportunities, building more industry-aligned programs, and ensuring every student who wants a CTE experience has access to one.
“Career technical education today is not the vocational education of the past,” leaders stress.“It’s modern, innovative, and designed to give students a competitive edge in both college and career.”
As New Jersey looks to the future, its career technical education system continues to evolve as both an educational and economic engine. Rooted in a century of history yet firmly focused on tomorrow, the state’s collaborative model demonstrates how public investment, industry partnership, and educational innovation can work together to build opportunity.
From the $275 million expansion to the integration of cutting-edge fields like biotechnology and advanced manufacturing, New Jersey is proving that when students are given the right tools and experiences, they not only succeed—they thrive.
With a legacy of impact and a future of possibility, New Jersey’s CTE programs are preparing the next generation of workers, innovators, and leaders to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
This article originally appeared Sept. 30, 2025 in Business View Magazine (pages 293-298)
