The Gloucester County Vocational-Technical School District (GCVTSD) and Gloucester County Special Services School District (GCSSSD) has received funding from the Secure Our Children’s Bond Act grant, announced the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners.
This grant paves the way to enhance career and technical education in GCVTSD as well as sharing collaborative space with Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ).
Approval of the grant allows construction on a new educational and technical training center on the campus of RCSJ. The center will house 120 to 150 fulltime students from grades nine through twelve during the day and will be the home of the newly introduced Academy of Applied Technology and Advanced Manufacturing. In the evening, the school will transition over for college education and programming for RCSJ.
The Secure Our Children’s Future Bond Act allocates $500 million in state bonds to expand county vocational-technical programs, county college and technical education programs, enhance K-12 school security and repair contaminated school drinking water systems.
“The Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act allows GCVTSD and GCSSSD to invest in the programs that our students love,” said Commissioner Director Robert M. Damminger. “Our goal is always to provide our students with high-quality, career relevant academic programs that will set them up for success in their future careers. The addition of the Academy of Applied Technology and Advanced Manufacturing gives students exactly that by exposing them to a broad range of educational experiences.”
“These grants to our local counties are an investment in the future of our State,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “The funds allocated will provide schools with the opportunity to expand their programs, improve the safety and health of our students and ensure career readiness. I look forward to seeing the impact that the Save Our Children’s Future Bond Act and the Academy of Applied Technology and Advanced Manufacturing will have on our students.”
The Academy of Applied Technology and Advanced Manufacturing will allow students to engage in course work that will expose them to emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Students who enter this program will acquire the skills necessary for employment in a wide variety of occupations.
Students housed on the main Gloucester County Institute of Technology (GCIT) campus will have the opportunity to receive additional technical training on a shared-time basis through the district’s Collegiate High School experience and Work and Learn Consortium in partnership with RCSJ.
“This new construction will allow us to continue to expand our partnership between GCIT/SSSD, RCSJ and Rowan University with the central goal of making not only education affordable but relevant to our future job markets,” said Commissioner Lyman Barnes. “This will be another unique opportunity for both GCVTSD, GCSSSD and RCSJ students to share space and learning opportunities in state-of-the-art facilities.”
Students enrolled in the current Academy of Engineering, Academy of Health Sciences, Academy of Computer Science/Digital Media and the School of Construction Technology will have exposure to the program.
“GCIT is excited to be recommended for approval to the New Jersey State Legislature for funding through the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act. The proposed Academy of Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences on the Gloucester Campus of Rowan College of South Jersey will provide many opportunities for students to attain advanced certifications, credentials, educational credits and targeted training that is designed to meet the workforce needs of Gloucester County and beyond. We look forward continuing our partnership with RCSJ, Rowan University, the Workforce Development Board, and our business partners on this exciting endeavor,” stated Michael C. Dicken, Superintendent of GCVTSD/GCSSSD.
Students at the Academy of Health Sciences will be exposed to high school and college level coursework, hands on training and will attain industry-based credentials and certifications.
For more information, please visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or visitwww.gcit.org.