County Commissioners Applaud $3.7M State Allocation to Support Career and Technical Education at Vo-Tech
Special Allocation Follows Award of $23M State Grant

SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Somerset County Vocation and Technical High School received an additional allocation of $3.7 million in the 2021 state budget following advocacy by the Somerset County Commissioners and Assemblyman Roy Freiman throughout the spring.

“It’s been a very good year financially for Somerset County Vo Tech,” said Commissioner Doug Singletary. “This additional funding, coupled with the earlier state grant award of 23 million dollars, will have a long-lasting impact on the educational opportunities available to our students.”

Vo-Tech is planning to use the prior $23 million in grant funding to construct additional classrooms to expand programs in eight industry clusters: construction and architecture, life sciences, technology, finance, transportation/distribution; health care; leisure/hospitality; and advanced manufacturing. The additional $3.7 million from the state budget will be used for possible expansion and upgrades of existing facilities.

“For too long the County put off investing in our County Vo-tech, but we’ve changed that over the past few years,” said Director Shanel Robinson. “This money will go a long way in helping us prepare our students for the world of tomorrow.”

The proposed expansion will also permit the County Vo-tech to increase the number of students that can attend the school and offer a larger number of programs in evolving fields.

“As we emerge from the pandemic and into the new economy and job environment county vocational schools will play an important role in helping our children meet the challenges ahead,” said Deputy Director Sara Sooy.

The additional funding in the state budget was the direct result of the hard work and advocacy of Assemblymen Roy Freiman for the residents of Somerset County.

“Our economy is becoming more complex and jobs more technical, and we have to find new and innovative ways to prepare our younger generation to take advantage and thrive in the coming decades. Investing in our Vocational and technical schools are one of the best ways to achieve this goal.” said Assemblyman Freiman.

“I want to thank the Somerset County Commissioners and Assemblyman Freiman for being such dedicated advocates for career and technical education, and in particular for our Vocational and Technical Schools students,” said Dr. Chrys Harttraft, superintendent at the County Vo-Tech. “This funding will transform the education we provide to our students and ensure that Somerset County is an economic driver for the region and the state.”

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