In an initiative aimed at addressing workforce demands while providing valuable training opportunities for students, Rowan College of South Jersey recently broke ground on a 13,000-SF expansion of its existing Career and Technical Education Center.
The new facility will include two new classrooms, a state-of-the-art welding lab, a construction lab, and dedicated HVAC plumbing, and electrical stations.
The school celebrated the groundbreaking with numerous partners in the project, including the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners, Ironworkers 399 and Building Trades Council of Southern New Jersey.
Construction of the expanded CTE Center is anticipated to be completed by Spring 2026. The addition of these specialized labs and classrooms will allow RCSJ to accommodate more students, provide hands-on training aligned with industry standards.
RCSJ President Fred Keating was thrilled by the day.
“The expansion of the CTE Center is a pivotal step in equipping our students with the necessary skills and training to thrive in today’s job market,” he said. “We are grateful for the support of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners, which has made this project possible. Together, we are building a strong foundation for the future of our community.”
The expansion will allow CTE to introduce new certificate programs on the Gloucester Campus, strengthening partnerships with local unions, businesses and industries in search of qualified candidates. The new programs will include carpentry, electrical, plumbing/HVAC, remediation/rehabilitation and welding.
Steve Sweeney, VP of Ironworkers International, gets it.
“Skilled tradespeople are the backbone of our economy, enabling New Jersey to build essential infrastructure and drive innovation throughout the state. Investing in training for trades is not just about building skills; it’s about creating a foundation for a sustainable future,” he said. “Empowering workers with hands-on knowledge fosters innovation, strengthens our economy, and ensures that we have the skilled labor needed to tackle challenges.”
Daniel Cosner, head of the Building Trades Counsil of Southern NJ, agreed.
“Some students really don’t know what direction they want to go in,” he said. “When you go into schools, people aren’t sure what carpenters, electricians (etc.) really do. This partnership with Rowan is another step in that direction, of really helping students get into the pathways and careers that they need.”
This expansion has been made possible thanks to the support of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners, who contributed over $7 million towards the project. Their commitment underscores the importance of vocational education in fostering economic growth and addressing workforce shortages in industries across the county and state of New Jersey.
The call for the expansion comes from the national labor shortage the United States has seen since March and April of 2020. According to the National Center for Construction Education and Research, the industry has only recovered 67% of jobs lost.
“Rowan College of South Jersey’s new construction and utilities training space will equip the next generation for family sustaining careers and good-paying jobs, ” Congressman Donald Norcross (D, 1st District) said. “Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks the opportunities ahead for those who wish to develop the skills needed for a high demand job.”
