NJ S3553

Establishes a three-year Skilled Trades Career Exploration Pilot Program administered by the Commissioner of Education to develop and expand career and technical education (CTE) programs for high school students

Grants support school districts in developing/expanding CTE programs, acquiring equipment and facilities, and providing professional development for CTE instructors

Requires selection of 15 total participating districts—five each from the southern, central, and northern regions of New Jersey, with a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas

Participating districts must submit annual reports with quantifiable measures of program impact to the Commissioner, who then reports annually to the Governor and Legislature

Appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Education for program implementation