Edison Schools To Partner With County College For Trade Programs

EDISON, NJ — Edison Public Schools said they were working closely with Middlesex College to boost their vocational and trades program for high school students who don’t plan to go to college.

The school board and school superintendent spoke about this initiative in response to a parent’s question at the last board of education meeting.

“Not only do we want to have a dual enrollment program where students can graduate with a diploma and an associate's degree, but we are looking at the trades — the technicians, the dental hygienist programs etc., offered at the county colleges and have that partnership to begin in high school, so the transition is not only cheaper, but its halfway done when they get there,” said school superintendent Barnard J. Bragen.

He said the president of Middlesex College, formerly known as the Middlesex County College, is committed to partnering with the Edison School District.

Board President Jerry Shi said they are also committed to working with various trade unions to see the training programs they offer.

“We will definitely look into working with trade unions for training programs,” he said.

“Not everyone is going to go to college. That's the reality. We need to get these students ready,” said Shi.

Bragen said currently there is a shortage of tradesmen in the country.

"While a college education is something we aspire for our kids, for some of our kids, the path is best chosen in a vocation that can earn them more than a living wage and successful life," he said.

Bragen said the school district was also committed to applying to various grants that help students attend trade school.

"We are in all these conversations... We're a comprehensive high school. We have everybody —from students going to West Point, Annapolis and Harvard, to students that are going directly into the workforce," he said.

"We want to be able to cover all those as best as we can."

No specific date or timeline was offered for when these programs will be made available, but Shi said they were "working" at it.

The school district is currently on remote learning schedule due to the high rate of COVID-19 cases in the township.

They are scheduled to reopen for in-person learning in the hybrid track on March 1.

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