Middlesex County Magnet Schools has received grant funding to begin training the next generation of professionals to use AI as a tool to enhance their work and their respective industries. (Photo credit: Isaiah Gomez, Media Content Specialist at Middlesex County Magnet Schools.)
Leveraging grant funding from the Office of Career Readiness at the New Jersey Department of Education, Middlesex County Magnet Schools position students at the forefront of artificial intelligence education.
By Jorge E. Diaz, superintendent of Middlesex County Magnet Schools
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms business operations across industries, the impending workforce transition will not be led by AI alone, but by professionals equipped with the knowledge to leverage AI strategically within their respective fields. Middlesex County Magnet Schools (MCMS) has a plan – and now the grant funding – to begin training the next generation of professionals to use AI as a tool to enhance their work and their respective industries.
The district recently received the highest possible amount of $375,000 as part of a grant for “Expanding Career Pathways in Artificial Intelligence”. This grant, awarded by the New Jersey Department of Education, aims to develop comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) education pathways in the state’s county vocational-technical schools.
Through strategic partnerships with Kean University, HP, and MRA International, Middlesex County Magnet Schools will utilize the awarded funding to launch a new, four-year AI and Robotics curriculum taught by an industry expert from Lockheed Martin, a leading global security, defense and aerospace contractor. Funds will also support professional development for educators, new classroom configurations and state-of-the-art learning equipment. This comprehensive career program, backed by higher education and industry experts, will prepare students for high-wage, high-skill and high-demand careers.
As superintendent, I am especially proud of our new AI and Robotics program, which isn’t just about teaching students to apply technology. It’s about empowering the next generation of innovators to create technologies we haven’t even thought about. Along with our partner, Kean University, we’re giving students the tools to shape the future, not just learn about it.
The grant-funded AI initiative will not only serve students, but also deliver measurable value to the regional business community. Through work-based learning opportunities, students will collaborate on real-world AI projects with business partners, allowing them to practice their technical skills and business application. This collaboration will also provide business partners with first access to employable students who are literate in AI. At the same time, Middlesex County Magnet Schools will receive industry feedback that ensures the program remains aligned with workforce needs. This symbiotic relationship will foster growth from both the education and business perspectives.
Middlesex County Magnet Schools is committed to connecting with the community and local businesses to strengthen both new and existing career programs. Interested partners can complete a short form to collaborate with MCMS on the district website.
“With Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the rise, it is critical to understand the potential short- and long-term impacts on education and our county at large,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “I’m proud of the leadership at the Middlesex County Magnet Schools as they continually embrace technology and invest in a competitive education that prepares students well for the future.”
“The Middlesex County Magnet Schools are leading the way in first-rate public education,” said Middlesex County Commissioner and Chair of Economic Development Chanelle Scott-McCullum. “It’s exciting to know that this new funding will help students explore artificial intelligence as a career path. There’s no doubt that in the future, AI will be integral in both the workplace and at home; more education is necessary to fully understand its implications and value.”
While many organizations remain uncertain about AI integration, MCMS will focus on graduating students with industry-level training in technical skills, ethical practices and practical applications that will culminate in either industry certifications or college credits through Kean University. This preparation cultivates a generation better equipped to manage technological advancements while maintaining strong ethical foundations.
“We are committed to ensuring students have the knowledge and skills needed to lead in emerging fields,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “This partnership will provide students and educators with the resources to thrive in an AI-driven world. We look forward to working with Middlesex County Magnet Schools to help shape the future of education and innovation together.”
The new AI-focused career program will begin in September 2025, at a state-of-the-art facility in East Brunswick Magnet School, equipped with specialized labs for robotics and automation applications. The initiative is supported by the Office of Career Readiness at the New Jersey Department of Education.
The application window for all five of the Middlesex County Magnet Schools opens October 1. Interested applicants must be Middlesex County residents and can apply through the online application found on the district website.
For more information on the Middlesex County Magnet Schools, including career programs offered at each school, please visit mcmsnj.net.
This article originally appeared Aug. 4, 2025 in ROI-NJ.
