Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT) has completed a $14 million expansion at its Westampton campus, providing students with new facilities and enhanced educational opportunities. The 39,000-square-foot addition and renovation includes new classrooms, auto shops, and logistics training spaces.
County commissioners, state legislators, BCIT students, staff, and administrators gathered to mark the completion of the project. The upgrades include expanded classroom space, a logistics training area, and a large diesel engine garage and auto shop. These improvements will allow an additional 100 students to enroll in programs such as automotive technology; heavy equipment and diesel technology; and global business and supply chain management.
The school also received a new roof and an upgraded HVAC system. This marks the first major expansion at the nearly 60-year-old building since 2004. Funding for the project came from both state grants and county funds.
“BCIT is one of the great gems of Burlington County and this expansion will pay dividends for years to come for students who want to pursue a career in technical education,” said Burlington County Commissioner Tyler Burrell. “It opens the door for more students to come to BCIT and benefit from its career and technical education programs.”
Commissioner Randy Brolo added: “BCIT is giving our students a quality education and pathway to successful careers in a wide range of growing fields. The students graduate ready to go to college or directly into professional careers. The school district is one of our county’s most important assets.”
Superintendent Dr. Ashanti Holley said that more than 2,300 students are now enrolled at both BCIT-Westampton and BCIT-Medford campuses—a record high for the district—which maintains a 98% graduation rate.
“This expansion is more than just bricks and mortar, it’s a promise to prepare our students for the careers of tomorrow,” Dr. Holley said. “We are not just building classrooms, we’re building pathways to innovation, to opportunity and achievement.”
A significant portion of funding was provided through a New Jersey Career and Technical Education expansion grant from the Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act—a $500 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2018 that allocated about $275 million for county vocational school expansions.
Senator Troy Singleton, who sponsored the bond act, attended the ceremony: “BCIT is one of New Jersey’s top-performing vocational schools, and this expansion means more students will have access to hands-on training that leads directly to careers in high demand field,” Senator Singleton said. “When we invest in career and technical education, we ensure our students have real pathways to success.”
State Assemblywoman Andrea Katz commented on BCIT’s diverse offerings: “BCIT has amazing programs spanning from IT, construction and architecture to music, theater, culinary arts and more,” she said. “It’s exciting to see the school district continue to grow and expand so more Burlington County students can come here and benefit. These students are graduating BCIT-Westampton and BCIT-Medford fully prepared to enter the workforce and navigate all the different challenges we face, so we’re grateful for the work being done here.”
Assemblyman Balvir Singh added: “These facilities improvements are allowing BCIT continue its growth and offer stellar career and technical education programs. As an educator and a legislator, it’s gratifying to see the district deliver topnotch education and training that is preparing students for real world careers.”
During Thursday’s event marking completion of construction work at Westampton campus—which followed February renovations worth $8 million at Medford campus—students from Culinary Arts prepared refreshments for attendees.
Burlington County operates under a Board of County Commissioners made up of five at-large members with Eve Cullinan serving as county administrator according to its official website. Covering 827 square miles as New Jersey’s largest county by area (source), Burlington County comprises three cities among its 40 political subdivisions (source). The region also features Historic Smithville Park—a 312-acre site with forests, meadows, streams, wetlands—and recognizes community contributions through awards such as Outstanding Women of Burlington County (source). Its library system aims at enriching lives through learning opportunities (source).
