Officially opened in 1973, the Jurong Vocational Institute was one of eight industrial training institutions developed by the Government since 1969. It focused on engineering, offering full-time courses in welding, motor vehicle mechanics, industrial electricity, applied electronics, metal machining and building carpentry.

The institute started with 80 students at Toh Tuck Vocational School in 1968, before it moved into its own premises in 1969. It was established with the help of the Australian government under the Colombo Plan, which trained teaching staff and contributed equipment.