Burlington County Institute of Technology students started the new school year at an improved Westampton campus that includes a 39,000-square-foot addition and renovation with new classrooms, auto shops and logistics training spaces.
The Burlington County Commissioners joined with state legislators, BCIT students, staff and administrators on Thursday for a celebration marking the completion of the BCIT-Westampton expansion and improvement project.
The improvements include expanded classroom space, a logistics training area and a large diesel engine garage and auto shop. These upgrades will enhance the education and training opportunities in the school’s career and technical education programs for automotive technology; heavy equipment and diesel technology and global business and supply chain management.
An additional 100 students can enroll in these programs because of the expansion improvements, BCIT officials said.
The roof of the school was also replaced, and the HVAC system was overhauled and upgraded.
More than $14 million was invested in the expansion of the close to 60-year-old building using a mix of state grants and County funds. It was the first major expansion at the Westampton campus since 2004.
“BCIT is one of the great gems of Burlington County and this expansion will pay dividends for years to come for students who want to pursue a career in technical education,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell, who formerly served as President of the BCIT/Special Services School District Board of Education. “It opens the door for more students to come to BCIT and benefit from its career and technical education programs.”
Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo said the improvements would help prepare students for future careers.
“BCIT is giving our students a quality education and pathway to successful careers in a wide range of growing fields,” said Commissioner Brolo. “The students graduate ready to go to college or directly into professional careers. The school district is one of our county’s most important assets.”
Dr. Ashanti Holley, superintendent of the Burlington County Institute of Technology/Special Services School District said the improvements at Westampton would help the school district continue to grow its enrollment and improve its programs.
More than 2,300 students are now enrolled at both BCIT-Westampton and BCIT-Medford, a record high for the vocational school district. The school has a 98% graduation rate, which is one of the best in the state.
“This expansion is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a promise to prepare our students for the careers of tomorrow,” said Dr. Holley. “We are not just building classrooms, we’re building pathways to innovation, to opportunity and achievement.”
Much of the construction was funded with a New Jersey Career and Technical Education expansion grant from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act. The law appropriated approximately $275 million for county vocational school expansion from a $500 million bond referendum approved by New Jersey voters in 2018.
Senator Troy Singleton, who sponsored the bond act, was among the state officials who attended Thursday’s ceremony. He said he was thrilled to see the improvements made possible by the legislation.
“BCIT is one of New Jersey’s top-performing vocational schools, and this expansion means more students will have access to hands-on training that leads directly to careers in high demand field,” Senator Singleton said. “When we invest in career and technical education, we ensure our students have real pathways to success.”
State Assemblywoman Andrea Katz and Assemblyman Balvir Singh were also at the ceremony to congratulate the school district.
“BCIT has amazing programs spanning from IT, construction and architecture to music, theater, culinary arts and more,” said Assemblywoman Katz. “It’s exciting to see the school district continue to grow and expand so more Burlington County students can come here and benefit. These students are graduating BCIT-Westampton and BCIT-Medford fully prepared to enter the workforce and navigate all the different challenges we face, so we’re grateful for the work being done here.”
Students from the school’s Culinary Arts programs prepared hors d’oeuvres and other light refreshments for visitors attending the ceremony.
“These facilities improvements are allowing BCIT continue its growth and offer stellar career and technical education programs,” said Assemblyman Singh. “As an educator and a legislator, it’s gratifying to see the district deliver topnotch education and training that is preparing students for real world careers.”
The Westampton expansion project is the second major facilities upgrade completed by the school district this year. In February, the school district celebrated the completion of $8 million in renovations and improvements at its Medford campus on Hawkin Road. The work included major expansions and renovations to the school’s welding and HVAC shops and the creation of a new video game design lab.
This article originally appeared Oct. 3, 2025 in Burlington County News Flash
