In a great example of the business community working with education, each of New Jersey’s 21 county vocational-technical school districts recognized an outstanding partner from industry for contributions made in 2025.
New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools Executive Director Jackie Burke said the county vocational-technical schools rely on industry partners to maintain the relevancy of the education and training provided in each career program offered.
Business partners always wanted
In addition to celebrating dedicated industry partners, the Business Partner of the Year recognition also helps raise awareness of ongoing opportunities for partners from just about every industry. Interested employer partners should fill out a brief form here.
These partners often serve on career program advisory boards to provide input on curriculum and the equipment needed to support it. Many partners also serve as mentors, open their doors to students for work-based learning, donate equipment for student training and serve as guest speakers or even judges for student projects.
The annual Business Partner of the Year honor highlights businesses and professionals for elevating career and technical education across the state.
“These partnerships are essential for maintaining the high-quality, workforce-aligned programs our county vocational-technical schools are known for delivering,” Burke said. “We congratulate and thank the 2025 Business Partners of the Year, and all employers and professionals involved in career and technical education. They help train their future workforce, ensuring the next generation is prepared for modern careers and the careers of the future.”
A look at the honorees:
- Atlantic: Val-U Auto Parts, LLC, Egg Harbor City, Berlin and Hammonton
- Bergen: Janus Motorcycles, Goshen, Ind.
- Burlington: Pemberton Fabricators, Rancocas
- Camden: Cold Technology, Blackwood
- Cape May: Derek Robinson, Delaware River and Bay Authority, New Castle, Del.
- Cumberland: Garton’s Rigging, Vineland
- Essex: Hackensack Meridian Health, Paramus
- Gloucester: The Telford Inn, Mantua
- Hudson: STS Aerospace, Laconia
- Hunterdon: Hunterdon Health, Flemington
- Mercer: Hogan Security, Pennington
- Middlesex: Savino Del Bene, Avenel
- Monmouth: MTF Biologics, Edison
- Morris: Ivy Rehab, national with local clinics in Randolph and Whippany
- Ocean: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Toms River, Toms River
- Passaic: PSE&G, Newark
- Salem: Atlantic City Electric: An Exelon Corp, Mays Landing
- Somerset: Gladstone Masonry and Stoneworks, Gladstone
- Sussex: DeSesa Engineering Company, Inc., Livingston
- Union: Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center, Summit
- Warren: Advance Auto Parts, Washington
