NJ S2597

Creates a four-year Career and Technical Education Partnership Grant Program administered by the Commissioner of Education to fund partnerships between county vocational schools or districts with approved CTE programs and urban districts, county colleges, or other entities to establish CTE programs in existing facilities not owned by the grant recipient.

Requires grant applicants to submit detailed proposals including program descriptions, partnership responsibilities, employer involvement, student capacity projections, facility locations, estimated start-up and operational costs, and sustainability plans beyond the grant period.

Mandates the Commissioner consult with the New Jersey Council of County Vocational Schools and employer representatives when designing the program, with grant amounts and multi-year awards determined by the Commissioner within available State appropriations.

Requires the Commissioner to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature four years after program establishment, including data on applicants, awards, programs created, student completions, cost savings from facility sharing, and recommendations for permanent funding.

Modeled on the County Vocational School District Partnership Grant Program (2014-2018), but expands eligibility beyond county vocational schools to include any school district operating approved CTE programs.