Berkeley Township, NJ — On November 13, the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Gladney Avenue in Bayville, marking the official start of its 2025–2026 New Home Construction Career Training Program project. This build represents the eighth student-constructed home produced by the program since its launch in 2014 and is the school’s first official build as a Registered Home Builder in Ocean County, underscoring the district’s long-standing commitment to hands-on, industry-aligned construction trades education. The event celebrated not only the beginning of a new residential build but also the strength of OCVTS’ industry partnerships, the commitment of community stakeholders, and the powerful real-world training opportunities that define the district’s career and technical education trade programs.

This year’s project, led by New Home Construction Instructor Skip Peters, represents the continued growth of a community-supported initiative that gives students the rare opportunity to build a full-scale home from the ground up. Students enrolled in the program will complete every phase of construction, including site preparation and grading, masonry, framing, roofing, decking, drywall installation, and all interior and exterior finishing. They will work alongside licensed instructors and industry professionals, developing high-demand skills and gaining direct exposure to real jobsite expectations. The mechanical phases will be completed by OCVTS’ Apprentice Program students in Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC, showcasing the district’s collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to workforce training.

This year’s home—an approximately 1,800-square-foot, single-story residence with three bedrooms and two full bathrooms—is being constructed on land generously donated to OCVTS. This opportunity came to OCVTS through the vision of Board Member Ron Rosetto and the generosity of John and Priscilla Oughton, who donated the lot. The goal was to give students a hands-on opportunity to apply their home-building skills while helping a local family achieve homeownership — all while providing the district with a sustainable method of cost recovery to continue delivering real-world vocational training. Once completed, the home will be sold, with all proceeds reinvested to purchase the next project site, ensuring that future classes of trade students benefit from this immersive, real-world, skill-building career-focused learning experience.

The ceremony underscored the vital role of donors, supporters, county commissioners, board of education members and business partners who make this project possible each year. OCVTS expressed deep appreciation for the companies and community organizations whose contributions of funding, building materials, and supplies directly enhance student learning and strengthen the skilled trades pipeline. Industry partners including Michael J. Wright Construction, Lennar NJ/NY, All County Exteriors, Universal Supply, QXO, UFP Industries, GAF, CertainTeed, Ferguson, Good Friend Electric, Pitbull Securities, Esposito Construction, and the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education have demonstrated exemplary support for the program. In a significant show of commitment earlier this year, Lennar NJ/NY donated $100,000 to the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational and Technical Education to help expand and enhance Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s construction trades training program across Ocean County.

The groundbreaking highlighted the collective belief that when education, industry, and community come together, remarkable opportunities emerge for students. The New Home Construction project continues to stand as a model of applied learning—where students gain confidence, build marketable skills, and experience the importance of teamwork, precision, problem-solving, and professionalism in a real construction environment. Each project empowers students to enter the workforce with a strong foundation of technical knowledge and job-ready experience that sets them apart in the competitive construction and trades industries.

The OCVTS New Home Construction training program, offered at the Waretown campus, is a 10-month, full-time accelerated program designed for adult learners preparing to enter the construction workforce. The curriculum includes extensive safety training, blueprint reading, layout, construction mathematics, framing, roofing, sheathing, siding, trim work, window and door installation, stair construction, drywall, insulation, ceilings, kitchen cabinets and flooring. Students earn their OSHA 10-hour Hazard Recognition certification and CPR/AED First Aid certification. Through OCVTS’ longstanding partnerships with local businesses, manufacturers, and construction firms, students apply their skills on-site at an active home build—an experience few training programs offer at this scale.

As construction begins on the 2025–2026 home build, OCVTS celebrates the continued support of the Ocean County community and the shared commitment to preparing the region’s next generation of skilled builders. With the support of donors, industry partners, and local officials, OCVTS remains dedicated to building opportunities, strengthening the workforce, and developing future leaders in the construction trades.




About Ocean County Vocational Technical School
Ocean County Vocational Technical School provides an intensive and immersive educational experience aligned with the current and emerging demands of business, industry, and advanced education. We instill the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for students to experience success in entering the workforce, advancing along a career pathway, and achieving career aspirations. Please visit www.ocvts.org to learn more.