High Schools in New Jersey

Construction Career Pathway Schools in New Jersey

New Jersey offers robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in construction through the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) and county vocational-technical (vo-tech) schools. These align with the Architecture & Construction career cluster, providing certifications like NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Core/Level 1, OSHA-10/30, and industry credentials in areas such as carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and construction management. Programs emphasize hands-on training, dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. Over 20,000 students participate in CTE programs annually, with many focused on high-demand construction careers. Key initiatives include NJDOE’s CTE standards and partnerships with community colleges for articulated credits.

Below is a compiled list from NJDOE resources, county vo-tech websites, and CTE directories. It’s organized by type (high schools/vo-tech districts and community colleges) and includes key program details. This is not exhaustive (New Jersey has 21 county vo-tech districts with CTE); for full listings, visit NJDOE’s CTE page (nj.gov/education/cte) or the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (careertechnj.org/programs).

High Schools and Vo-Tech Districts with Construction Pathways

These public vo-tech districts and high schools offer CTE at the high school level, often with NCCER-aligned courses and dual-credit options through community colleges or universities.

District/School	Location	Program Details
Passaic County Technical Institute (PCTI) – School of Construction Technology	Wayne, NJ	Construction Technology Pathway; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Focus on carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC; Hands-on training in state-of-the-art labs; Dual enrollment options; Work-based learning and apprenticeships; Prepares for careers in building trades and management.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) – Brick Center	Brick, NJ	Building Construction Technology; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; 2-year/900-hour program in fundamentals of construction, carpentry, electrical, plumbing; Dual enrollment with Ocean County College; Work-based learning for entry-level trades jobs.
Lenape Regional High School District – Cherokee High School	Marlton, NJ	Construction, Building & Carpentry Career Pathway; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; 4-year program in building trades, safety, and project management; Hands-on experience with power tools and blueprints; Dual enrollment options; Prepares for apprenticeships or further education.
Sussex County Technical School	Sparta, NJ	Exploratory Construction Pathway; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Rotational program for freshmen in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC; Hands-on training leading to advanced trades; Work-based learning and industry partnerships.
Bergen County Technical Schools (BCTS) – Multiple Campuses (e.g., Teterboro, Paramus)	Paramus/Teterboro, NJ	Construction Technology and Architecture; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Focus on building trades, drafting, and management; Dual enrollment with Bergen Community College; Apprenticeships and capstone projects.
Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) – County Prep High School	Jersey City, NJ	Construction Management Pathway; NCCER certifications, OSHA-10; Hands-on training in carpentry, electrical, and project management; Dual enrollment with Hudson County Community College; Work-based learning for urban construction careers.