Newark, New Jersey (CNN) — New Jersey has long been known for its beautiful, historic bridges and historic architecture, but now it is turning its attention to a new school that could bring a whole new class of electricians to the state.
Newark Public Schools announced Tuesday that it is opening a school in the city, where electricians can earn certificates and earn up to $150,000 a year.
The school is located in the historic Old Bridge Bridge, which is a major thoroughfare that connects Newark to Manhattan.
It is expected to open in the fall of 2019.
The announcement comes after more than 50 years of work by the Edison Electric Institute of America to build a new high school in Newark.
The new school, called Edison Electric Academy, is expected a major success story for the Edison School and its partners in Newark, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement.
It’s a proud day for Newark, one of the nation’s most economically diverse cities, with over 500,000 residents and a vibrant arts, entertainment and cultural scene, said Baraka.
This is an exciting opportunity for students to earn a degree, and Newark’s community will benefit greatly, he said.
Edison Electric Institute director Michael Goglia said the school is expected start operations in fall 2019.
He noted that Edison Electric School has an enrollment of about 3,500 students.
“The students will have a real opportunity to learn and grow in the classroom, and they’ll have a new partner in this endeavor, a community partner,” he said in an interview with CNN.
Edson Electric School’s new program has many perks, including free tuition, and a tuition waiver, Goglias said.
The program will provide students with a real job and the opportunity to pursue a career in engineering, he added.
Students in the program will earn certificates for their work, and those certificates will then be available for future licensing.
The Edison School has been helping students develop the skills they need to work in the field.
The school has also been training the community in electrical engineering, electrical installation and other technical skills.
In addition to the school, the Edison Schools has partnered with the Edison College to build two new buildings in Newark: a new middle school and an elementary school.