Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

CelebrateCTE

The Office of Career Readiness would like to celebrate and highlight the expectational activities being conducted throughout the year in districts and in career and technical education programs. To be featured in this section of the website, share your pictures and content with CTE@doe.nj.gov and a representative from our office will be in contact with you.  

All Students featured in pictures and videos must have a signed photo release form on file at their district. In addition the NJDOE photos release form will need to be completed for students and adults. 

10 Ways to Promote Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Your School

  1. Host an in-person or virtual school visit and invite members of your local community to learn about your school’s strong CTE programs firsthand. 
  2. Highlight a CTE student of the month from each of your courses and share it on social media or on the school website. Write a brief description of what makes this student successful in the program. 
  3. Invite administrators, school board members, and counselors to your classroom —or make it a specific classroom activity— to showcase the great work you are doing in CTE. 
  4. Plan a 15-minute “Need to Know about CTE” presentation with your school’s counselors. 
  5. Choose a month your advisory board, CTE teacher and student representatives highlight CTE and your program at the monthly school board meeting.  
  6. Have students read statistics about Career and Technical Education on the announcements. 
  7. Highlight youth development through Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). How has your class activities extended leadership outside of the classroom to make your students more career and college ready? 
  8. Invite administrators and counselors to your Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) State Student Leadership conference to judge an event. 
  9. Highlight business industry partnerships and the impact they have on your students. Post it on a school website or social media in honor of their participation and dedication to CTE. 
  10. Invite alumni to participate in your district and/or classroom events to share how their CTE/CTSO experiences helped them to be successful.  

Celebrate CTE District Highlights

Pemberton Township High School (Burlington County)

Broadcast Journalism

The Broadcast Journalism CTE program of study provides students with a dynamic pathway to build skills in television communication, video production, and broadcast storytelling. Through a carefully structured sequence of courses, students gain hands-on experience with both live and recorded productions while developing a strong foundation in the technical and creative aspects of the broadcasting industry.

Instruction begins with the core principles of television production, including safe equipment operation, script writing, storyboarding, electronic news gathering, and video editing. Students learn proper camera techniques, shot composition, and visual sequencing while working with industry-standard equipment such as Panasonic HD cameras, Apple iMac workstations, and professional editing platforms such as Final Cut Pro X.

As they advance, students take on a variety of production roles—news writers, segment producers, field reporters, anchors, and video editors—allowing them to develop versatility and confidence in authentic production environments. Throughout the year, they create a range of television content, including a daily newscast and weekly magazine-style program broadcast on the school’s Channel 19. These real-world experiences strengthen students’ abilities in interviewing, storytelling, linear and non-linear editing, and managing production deadlines.

In upper-level courses, students refine advanced skills in videography, production terminology, and collaborative workflow management. They also participate in live event broadcasting, covering schoolwide activities such as athletic competitions, performing arts events, and commencement ceremonies—experiences that prepare them for postsecondary studies and careers in broadcast journalism, digital media, and video production.

Students further enhance their learning through participating in Skills USA career development events, where they apply their skills in competitive settings and gain valuable leadership experience. Students may earn up to eight articulated college credits through a partnership with Rowan College at Burlington County, supporting a seamless transition to higher education.

This program develops students’ technical expertise, creativity, teamwork, and journalistic judgment—key skills for success in the fast-paced and continually evolving world of broadcast media.

Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General

The Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations CTE program of study provides students with a comprehensive foundation in plant science, horticultural production, and the business operations that support the industry. This program introduces students to the cultivation, management, and maintenance of plants, including flowers, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, and other ornamental and commercial plants—while grounding their learning in essential scientific principles.

Coursework spans multiple areas of horticulture such as floriculture, nursery and greenhouse operations, and landscape management. As students advance, they deepen their knowledge of botanical science and gain hands-on experience in plant propagation, soil science, floral design, and marketing strategies used within the horticulture field.

The program offers diverse work-based learning opportunities that connect classroom instruction to real-world experiences. Through a school-based enterprise, students design and produce floral arrangements and decorative items for school and community events, strengthening skills in sales, marketing, advertising, and customer service. Local industry partnerships further expand students’ experiences. Students participate in internships that include plant care, retail operations, hydroponic and aquaculture systems, equipment use, and customer service. Additional structured agricultural experiences are available with a local sod farm, where students develop practical skills in turfgrass management, soil conservation, irrigation, pest and disease control, machinery operation, marketing, and logistics.

Partnerships with the Rutgers Cooperative Extension offer students the opportunity to observe agricultural professionals in action, supporting local growers with pest and disease management, soil testing, and crop planning—providing valuable insight into the agricultural support services sector.

Students also participate in the FFA career and technical student organization, expanding their leadership and competitive skill-building opportunities. Additionally, they may earn up to twelve college credits through an articulation agreement with Delaware Valley University, positioning them for postsecondary success in horticulture, and related fields.

Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant

The Food Preparation/Professional Cooking CTE program of study introduces students to the fundamentals of the culinary arts and operation of a commercial kitchen. Students learn essential skills in kitchen organization, sanitation and safety, food quality control, equipment maintenance, and core cooking techniques. Instructions include the preparation of vegetables, meats, soups, baked goods, batters, and doughs. As students demonstrate proficiency with individual tasks, they progress to planning and preparing complete meals.

Throughout the program, students gain direct experience in a commercial kitchen environment. They learn how to scale and adapt recipes, properly sanitize workspaces, and manage key aspects of food service operations. Responsibilities include completing production reports, assisting with ordering, rotating stock, and participating in monthly inventory procedures. Students also develop customer service and catering skills that prepare them for success in the food service and hospitality industries.

Work-based learning opportunities build upon classroom instruction. Job shadowing at a local hospital exposes students to a range of culinary roles, including servers, chefs, and prep cooks.  During these experiences, students learn time management, sanitation procedures, customer service, and the importance of meeting individual dietary restrictions. Internship placements at a local restaurant further develop skills in inventory and purchasing, budgeting, sales, and professional kitchen operations.

Students have the opportunity to earn the nationally recognized ServSafe Food Protection Manager industry valued credential, a certification highly valued by employers across the industry. They also participate in SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization that promotes leadership, teamwork, and professional growth through competitions, events, and community service within the culinary field.

Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef

The Baking & Pastry Arts program of study provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the art and science of baking. Students begin by developing foundational knowledge in baking terminology, equipment identification and use, ingredient functions, formula conversions, and selection of appropriate flours. They gain practical experience preparing basic doughs, quick breads, pies, cookies, and other bakery items that establish essential skills for more advanced work.

As students progress, they expand their understanding of commercial baking practices. Instruction emphasizes shop and fire safety, accurate measurement, proper cooking temperatures, mixing techniques, knife skills, and the operation of both small and large industrial kitchen equipment. Throughout the program, they prepare a variety of baked products, advancing to full size cake production and decorating techniques as individual competencies are achieved.

In the advanced level of the program, students take an in depth look at the professional baking field while applying their skills within a commercial kitchen environment. They engage in real world production experiences, including volume baking, daily record keeping, inventory and ordering procedures that mirror industry expectations.

By participating in Skills USA career development events, students build leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character skills. Students in this program of study can earn up to six credits at Rowan College at Burlington County.


Pemberton Township High School, where career and technical education empower students to transform hands on learning into real world opportunities.



Student hosts in the Broadcast Journalism program of study lead the studio broadcast, developing confidence and skills in journalism and media presentation.



Students work together to operate professional studio cameras, strengthening their technical skills in media and broadcast production.



Pictured from left to right. Student, Ms. Dawn Viveiros-Meredith, Horticulture Teacher.
Applied learning helps students in the Horticulture program of study develop technical and professional skills in plant science, design, and business operations.


The Horticulture program of study cultivates students’ skills in plant science, floral design, and business operations, laying the foundation for future academic and career success.



Students with Mr. Mocci, Culinary Arts Teacher (far right).
Students in the Food Preparation/Professional Cooking/Kitchen Assistant program of study work with their teacher to build foundational skills in food preparation and kitchen operations.



Mr. Mocci, Culinary Arts Teacher (second from the left) with students.   
Students in the Baking & Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef program of study prepare a dish, building skills in culinary arts.

    Contact

    Page Last Updated: 03/10/2026