Garden State Times

On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners celebrated the launch of the manufacturing engineering technology (MET) program at Camden County Technical School’s Gloucester Township Campus. The new hub was made possible through a $4.5 million grant from the state to expand career and technical education at vocational-technical school districts across New Jersey and from an investment of $1.5 million from the Board of Commissioners. October 1 also marks the beginning of Manufacturing Month, which celebrates the contributions the industry has made to our country.

“The Commissioners and I recognize the vital importance of career and technical education for today’s high school students and are committed to its development to meet the needs of our county and state’s job markets,” Commissioner Jonathan Young said. “This center represents more than just a building; it is a hub of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration. Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and real-world application, ensuring that our students are not only prepared but are also leaders in manufacturing, and we are well on our way.”

The project will add a MET career lab, a MET design theory lab, three career and technical education related theory/instructional rooms, a MET simulation lab, a MET physical science lab, as well as a large group instruction area and related support spaces.

“Providing the access and opportunity for our students to sit in a state-of-the-art classroom and learn about new career paths underscores our commitment to teach and train tomorrow’s workforce,” Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell said. “This investment is sure to help boost Camden County’s robust manufacturing industry, which already employs 13,000 people at 510 manufacturing firms that operate within our county. We are grateful to the state for investing in Camden County’s workforce by making this project possible.”

In July 2021, Governor Murphy signed legislation to award $275 million in grants to expand career and technical education at 15 New Jersey County vocational-technical school districts. Camden County was one of the districts receiving funding, with a $12 million grant from the state and a commitment of funds from the Camden County Commissioners.

This funding, which New Jersey voters approved in November 2018 by passing the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, helped vocational-technical school districts meet both student and employer demands for various career and technical education programming across the state.

“Students enrolled in this program will learn skills and earn industry-valued credentials providing them with multiple pathways that will allow them to enter directly into the workforce, pursue apprenticeship opportunities or continue in a post-secondary tract,” Superintendent Wanda Pichardo said. “We are excited to add the MET program to our diverse offerings further enhancing our service to Camden County residents and industry employers.”

The MET program will focus on designing, supporting, and operating integrated systems commonly found in manufacturing sectors producing high-quality, economically competitive products. These systems can include Programmable Logic Controls (PLC's), manual and CNC machining, robots, tools, materials-handling equipment and more.

“The new Manufacturing Engineering Technology program gives students a pathway to enter a high-demand, high-wage field after high school while presenting area employers with a solution to meet workforce demands,” said Jackie Burke, executive director of NJ Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools. “I commend Camden County Technical Schools’ leaders and local officials who led a collaborative effort first securing Bond Act funding for this project then committing to ensuring construction of new space. The curriculum business partners involved contribute learning experience relevant effective transformative for students involved local state employers who will soon hire them.”