The community gathered on Sept. 9 to mark the opening of the Hunterdon County Career & Technical Schools-North Campus (HCVSD-North), the county’s first full-time vocational high school.
Located on the campus of North Hunterdon High School in the Annandale section of Clinton Township, the 36,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in the county’s workforce, economy and future, said Hunterdon County Deputy Director Shaun C. Van Doren.
The school is the result of a partnership between the Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD) and North Hunterdon High School, with nearly 75% of the funding secured through the State of New Jersey’s Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, Van Doren said. The remaining funding, including expenses to accommodate the specialized programs, was provided by the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners.
Van Doren said the school was built without issuing any debt.
The new school will offer six high-demand career and technical education (CTE) programs, including Culinary Arts & Hospitality; Electrical Technology; Welding Technology; Diesel & Power Sports Technology; HVAC/Plumbing Technology; and Advanced Manufacturing & Aeronautical Sciences.
“Today marks a milestone for our community, our students, and our workforce,” Van Doren said. “This school is more than a building; it’s a gateway to opportunity for our students and significant advancement for the economic future of Hunterdon County. Vocational education offers students practical knowledge and skills that allow them to step directly into meaningful, well-paying careers. This school ensures that students can acquire the training they need to thrive in today’s competitive economy − right here at home.”
The facility was developed under the leadership of Superintendent Todd Bonsall of Hunterdon County Polytech and Superintendent Rich Bergacs of North Hunterdon High School. The programs have been strategically designed to align with workforce needs in the region, addressing a growing shortage of skilled labor across sectors such as advanced manufacturing, HVAC and electrical systems.”This campus stands today because of the collective efforts of so many people − leaders, educators, parents, community members and industry partners,” Bonsall said. “Together, we created something extraordinary, and just in time to welcome our very first class of full-time students. This building is more than bricks and mortar. It represents the heart and soul of everyone that had a hand in its development. It represents opportunity, growth, and the future of career and technical education in Hunterdon County. It represents the power of collaboration and the belief that when we invest in our students, we invest in the future of our community.”
Van Doren said the new school offers an opportunity for students to receive “a world-class education in a state-of-the-art facility.”
“An education that prepares students for good paying jobs in high demand industries, without the burden of tens of thousands of dollars in debt,” he said. “We look forward to many years of success and achievement for our students, our school, and our community.”
The project, first announced in 2021, broke ground in October 2022. In total, the new building and programs will benefit 560 students, bumping county vo-tech enrollment closer to 1,000 students.
This article originally appeared September 15, 2025 in MyCentralJersey.com and Yahoo!.
