Morris County Hosts Open House for Career Training Center
- County of Morris
- 20 hours ago
- 3 min read
Morris County Hosts Open House for Career Training Center
Application Portal for Morris County Vocational School District Share-Time Programs Now Open
The Morris County Board of County Commissioners recently joined the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD)and County College of Morris (CCM) in hosting an open house at the new Career Training Center on the CCM campus.
Student musicians from the MCVSD string ensemble performed as guests arrived at the new 46,350-square-foot facility, where culinary arts students prepared a selection of hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and desserts. MCVSD student ambassadors led tours of state-of-the-art classrooms designed for hands-on training in medical and dental assistance, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, supply chain management and other emerging fields.
The Vocational School District also announced that share-time program applications are now open.
Dr. Anita Champagne, superintendent of MCVSD, opened the program, followed by remarks from Commissioner John Krickus and CCM President Dr. Anthony Iacono. Attendees included Commissioner Douglas Cabana, Assistant County Administrator Brian Murray, MCVSD Board President Barbara Dawson, all MCVSD leadership staff and CCM Trustees Paul Licitra, George Milonas, Loretta Gragnani and James Loveys.
“Together, the Vocational School District and CCM are giving students early access to the skills, certifications, degrees and hands-on training demanded by today’s leading industries. The centerpiece of this success is the Career Training Center, where we are standing tonight. This building welcomed its first students this fall, opening doors to many opportunities,” said Commissioner Krickus.
The two-story Career Training Center opened in September, expanding MCVSD’s capacity by several hundred high schoolers. It offers share-time programs focused on career and college readiness, providing them with hands-on experience in various trades, industry-recognized credentials and the opportunity to earn college credits. The share-time model allows students to attend specialized technical training for half the school day as part of their junior and senior year high school programs
“Share-time programs give students a meaningful advantage—hands-on learning, industry credentials and a clearer vision for their futures,” Dr. Champagne said. “Our Career Training Center stands as a promise to every Morris County student that their ambitions are welcome here, and that we are ready to help them pursue the careers and college pathways that inspire them.”
The application portal for 10th grade students to apply is now open through Feb. 17, 2026. Program details and application information are available on the MCVSD website: mcvts.org/mcvsd-programs/share-time-programs
“The partnership between CCM and Morris County Vocational School District presents incredible opportunities for high school students to earn college credits while preparing for in-demand careers. Partnerships like this support individuals and employers throughout the region while simultaneously reducing college costs to parents,” said Dr. Iacono.
Other notable attendees included Chester Borough Mayor Janet Hoven, Denville Mayor Thomas Andes, Morris County Park Commissioners Douglas Gabel and Mohamed Seyam, and Morris County Ambassadors Henry Lee and Roberta Strater. Also representing CCM were Patrick Enright, senior vice president of Academic Affairs, Workforce Development and Student Success Service; Melissa Albright, vice president of Marketing, Public Relations and Enrollment Management; Julian Gomez, executive director of Educational Opportunity Programs; and Regina Ashford, faculty member and president of the Morristown Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
The Career Training Center, a $26.8 million project funded through $18.6 million from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act and $8.2 million in county support, is located adjacent to CCM’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center and the future Entrepreneurship and Culinary Science Center. The facility is part of a growing hub of career and technical education jointly offered by the vocational school district and county college to students across Morris County.
