New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools Executive Director Jackie Burke is once again featured on the Education Power 50 list.
The following excerpt about Burke appeared in NJBIZ Sept. 15, 2025.
Jackie Burke
NJ Council of County Vocational Technical Schools
NJ Council of County Vocational Technical Schools
In 2021, Burke took the helm of the Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, which represents the 21 New Jersey county vocational-technical school districts. She brings an extensive public policy background to the role and helped advocate for the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, which included $275 million in state bond funding to expand county vocational-technical schools. Those expansion projects are nearing completion and the results are impressive: 4,736 seats added to accommodate more students; 47 new career programs; 34 expanded career programs; 10 new customized buildings and 11 building additions to house the new and expanded programs; 14 new higher education partnerships; and 1,177 additional vocational school graduates expected annually as a result of this investment. The results extend far beyond these numbers. New Jersey has become a model for delivering accessible and highly relevant career programs to students throughout the state. Students benefit by getting a head start on their future career goals, while New Jersey industries benefit from a growing workforce prepared to step into increasingly technical roles required for growth.
