February 18, 2025
A significant 39,000-square-foot expansion is currently under construction at the Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Westampton to enhance its job training programs in diesel, logistics, and automotive technology.
County leaders have already witnessed the project’s progress, which aims to train kids for jobs that are in high demand.
Westampton Deputy Mayor Odise Carr, Assemblywoman Carol Murphy, State Senator Troy Singleton, and Burlington County Commissioner Tom Pullion toured the building site.
Along with other officials and school board members, the gathering also included Dr. Ashanti Holley, the superintendent of the Burlington County Special Services School District and BCIT.
They toured the construction site together to observe how the campus is changing and what the students who will gain from these exciting developments might expect.
With its first significant renovation since 2004, the Westampton campus is growing with additional classrooms, a modernized logistics training warehouse, and a new diesel engine workshop, updating the facilities to meet modern demands.
Everything is on schedule to be ready for students when the autumn term arrives, with work having begun last year.
This is an investment in BCIT’s future as well as the students that attend.
As a strong advocate for vocational education, Commissioner Pullion is thrilled about the potential effects of this expansion.
He emphasized BCIT’s standing as one of New Jersey’s top universities, renowned for successfully preparing students for professions in in-demand fields including computer programming, engineering, automotive repair, and logistics.
BCIT will be able to quadruple its capacity for a number of programs thanks to the new expansion, giving students more chances for hands-on instruction.
Pullion stated unequivocally that the goal is to prepare students for success in real-world careers as soon as they graduate.
“The expanded facilities will also help the school meet the growing workforce demands in these industries,” Dr. Holley said, echoing Pullion’s excitement.
She emphasized that by making this investment in technical and career education, BCIT would continue to be a pioneer in producing the next generation of highly qualified workers.
The majority of the $14 million required for the BCIT-Westampton expansion is being covered by state grants made possible by the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act.
As part of a larger $500 million bond referendum that New Jerseyans approved, this legislation, which was created in 2018, set aside roughly $350 million for the growth of county vocational schools.
The bill’s sponsors, Senator Singleton and Assemblywoman Murphy, both firmly backed the legislation.
They have played a crucial role in guaranteeing that educational institutions such as BCIT possess the necessary resources to offer superior instruction and training.
According to Senator Singleton, this project gives children the chance to prepare for the workforce.
This view was shared by Assemblywoman Murphy, who highlighted how BCIT provides high school students and adults with a route to success through high-quality instruction and practical training.
Both lawmakers are happy to see these projects become a reality thanks to state funding.
The expansion of BCIT-Westampton is expected to revolutionize the institution and its students as construction progresses and the fall semester approaches.
The institution is at an exciting period, and if this growth is any guide, BCIT students and the businesses they will eventually service have a bright future.
By making this educational commitment, BCIT lays the groundwork for the emergence of the next generation of talented professionals.