Securing our children’s futures

Many employers have a difficult time finding individuals with the skills required to fill skilled technical jobs, such as in healthcare, information technology and finance. Part of the problem lies in the lack of alignment between high schools and county colleges, between students and the vocational and technical programs that will prepare them for the workforce of today and tomorrow.

In 2017, the county vocational school districts throughout the state were unable to meet the needs of the 17,000 students who were eligible for enrollment, but could not be accepted due to a lack of facilities.

The county vocational school districts were only able to accommodate 41.5 percent of applicants. On a statewide average, there were 2.3 applicants for every seat available.

Adequate funding for our vocational and technical schools has too often taken a backseat when it comes to state funding support. New Jersey students who wish to pursue a career in these fields deserve access to the best programs and schools.

New Jersey has an opportunity to create this path for our students sooner rather than later.

In less than a week, voters will take to the polls to cast their ballots determining the path the state will take toward creating a stronger, well-trained workforce.

Voters will decide on the critical funding that will help expand our state’s vocational-technical schools and county colleges as well as the funding necessary to improve school security and water infrastructure.

Through the approval of Ballot question #1, the “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act,”

we can ensure that students will be able to take advantage of career opportunities in high-demand, high-growth fields. Jobs in these industries are economic growth engines that can lead to stable, long-term career opportunities for residents.

For New Jersey, it will mean a stronger, middle- and working class, thriving economy and the state remaining a leader in innovation and technology industries.

The economic viability and competitiveness of New Jersey is inextricably linked to the strength and skills of the state’s current and future workforce.

We have to recognize that the job economy has changed. The only way to make sure New Jersey’s workforce keeps up with new, in-demand jobs is by investing in schools.

In the last 11 months, the legislature has worked to meet the chronically under-met needs in recent years of our schools and education system. I sponsored this legislation in the Assembly because I believe this is the next actionable step in ensuring New Jersey students every chance to succeed.

Investing in schools now and bridging the gap between high school, vocational school and the job skills desired in growing technical industries will put New Jersey on the right track. I will be supporting ballot question #1, Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act, on November 6th.