The Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act (SOCFBA) – approved by voters in 2018 – issued a total of $500 million in state bonds to expand county college and vocational school CTE programs, enhance K-12 security, and support water infrastructure improvements in New Jersey schools. Of that total, $325 million was dedicated for county college and CVSD-related grants. The proposed projects approved by the Murphy Administration for this round of funding will now be transmitted to the Legislature for final approval.

“This second round of funding builds on my Administration’s efforts to provide New Jersey students with access to high-quality education,” said Governor Murphy. “Career and technical education programs are key to providing young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen career. Investing in our county colleges and vocational schools is how we invest in our state.”

“Generations of students will continue to benefit from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act,” said Dr. Allen-McMillian, Acting Commissioner of Education. “Through the programs that are being created, countless students will have the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to succeed in high-demand careers after graduation.”

“This solicitation continues the course of action set by the first round to help prepare today’s students for innovative and in-demand careers, that benefits not only our New Jersey students but enhances New Jersey’s economic success,” said Secretary of Higher Education Dr. Brian K. Bridges. “These projects are a part of our continued work to meet our Higher Education State Plan goal for every student to have access to high-quality, career-relevant academic programs that prepare them for success.”

“With a focus on boosting opportunities for training and experiential learning, this round of funding will work significantly in preparing and supporting New Jersey’s next generation of skilled-labor,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Making sure we maintain and boost access to a wide array of educational opportunities for all students helps propel innovation forward. As we continue to diversify our economy, equipping a workforce ready for the future has never been more important.”

“We made a bipartisan commitment to invest in our long-neglected county colleges and vocational schools to ensure they have the necessary resources to modernize and expand their programs to meet the demand of students,” said Senate Republican Leader Steven Oroho. “Voters agreed this should be done, and the latest round of grant awards to fund projects improving career and technical education programs across New Jersey is one of the tangible results.”

The Murphy Administration is recommending nearly $57 million in awards for this second round of grants. In addition to the first round of CTE funding, which appropriated approximately $26 million for county college CTE projects and over $220 million for county vocational school district CTE projects, this second round of funding will bring the total funding awarded for CTE projects to over $305 million.

The Murphy Administration is transmitting the following to the Legislature for final approval:

County College CTE Projects – Approximately $20 million

The SOCFBA allocated funds for county colleges to construct or expand classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer facilities, and other academic structures to increase CTE program capacity.

The second round of the SOCFBA will fund six proposed projects, totaling nearly $20 million. These funds will be administered by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE) with the support of the Educational Facilities Authority (EFA).

For the list of round-two projects in this category, click here.

County Vocational School District CTE Projects – Approximately $37 million

The SOCFBA allocated funds for construction projects that support CTE program expansion for County Vocational School Districts (CVSD), in accordance with labor market demands and economic development goals. These projects will fund renovation and new construction to increase student capacity in select county vocational CTE programs, including related demolition, site improvements and physical plant upgrades, and furniture and equipment in renovated, reassigned, or new spaces related to county vocational CTE program expansion. Applicants were required to demonstrate that new student seats would be in county vocational CTE programs that prepare students for high-demand, technically-skilled careers.

The second round of the SOCFBA will fund six proposed projects, totaling nearly $37 million. These grants will be administered by the Department of Education (DOE).

For the list of round-two projects in this category, click here.

Additional grant opportunities for the remaining funding will be announced at a later date.