$1.4M In Funds Coming To Essex County Vocational Technical Schools

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A windfall of $1.4 million in federal funding is headed to the Essex County Vocational Technical School system, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill announced Friday.

According to Sherrill – who represents the state’s 11th Congressional District – the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) grant will “help high schools to develop and support high-quality, career connected programs for students, including dual enrollment programs, work-based learning, and opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials.”

The grant is part of the DOE’s “Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success” campaign.

The county’s school system has been growing by leaps and bounds, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Over the last six years, we have opened three new schools – Donald Payne School of Technology, West Caldwell School of Technology and Newark Tech – that provide modern accommodations and dynamic learning environments where our students receive an educational foundation that prepares them for college or university, the workforce or whatever future path they follow,” DiVincenzo said.

Rep. Sherrill said that New Jersey is “home to the best public education system in the nation” – and it’s important to build on that success.

“I look forward to seeing how the Essex County Technical Vocational School District uses this funding to continue developing innovative programs that will improve student engagement, connect our schools with New Jersey’s world-class businesses, and build a highly skilled workforce that will power the Garden State,” Sherrill said.

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