VCC Magazine Fall 2017

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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2017
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The myriad Career and Technical
Education (CTE) opportunities across
Virginia—including CTE programs and
courses in public secondary schools,
work-based learning, career and technical
student organizations, dual enrollment,
Governor’s STEM [Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math] and Governor’s Health
Science Academies—provide students with
avenues to acquire technical, academic, and
employability skills that are essential not
only for college and career success, but also to be “life-ready.”
Even before entering high school, every student can explore and
analyze future career options through programs such as elementary
career exploration, children’s engineering, middle school CTE
courses, career investigation, job shadowing, and mentorships.
Whether a student plans to complete a four-year college degree, a
two-year associate degree, or a one-year certificate program, CTE
has it covered.
Statistics highlight the opportunities available for students
enrolled in CTE courses: according to theVirginia Board ofWorkforce
Development, the state will need qualified men and women to fill
half a million new jobs created by 2022, while businesses need to fill
another 930,000 jobs vacated primarily due to retirements.
How does CTE address these needs?
Virginia has 16 Career Clusters offering over 70 career pathways
that are critical to preparing students for the 21st century workforce.
CTE courses are available across Virginia’s 132 school divisions that
include 335 high schools, 326 middle schools, 47 school division
centers, 22 Governor’s STEM Academies, 8 Governor’s Health
Science Academies, 10 jointly operated regional CTE Centers, and
105 school divisions that offer CTE dual enrollment. In particular,
STEM and Health Science Academies are designed to expand options
for students to acquire STEM literacy, and technical knowledge
and skills. They also develop partnerships between public schools
divisions, health care institutions, the private sector, and higher
education institutions by creating rigorous programs for students.
The CTE arm of the Virginia Department of Education partners
with educators and experts from business and industry to update
curricula and design dynamic, high-quality programs that meet
current and projected workforce needs.
Most recently, this partnership aimed to address the critical
need for a qualified workforce in Cybersecurity, resulting in the
creation of a new Cybersecurity course to be implemented at the
high school level this academic year. The course allows students to
develop a strong foundation for a career that has over 30,000 jobs
available in Virginia alone, and to gain knowledge and skills above
and beyond entry-level requirements. Postsecondary institutions are
also implementing Cybersecurity programs, for which students will
be more than sufficiently prepared after undergoing this new course.
Virginia’s future workforce must meet emerging needs and
trends in high-tech, high-growth industries. This begins in our public
schools as we equip students with relevant technical, academic, and
workplace skills that prepare them for high-demand, high-wage, and
high-skill careers.
Recent reports state that about 57 percent of the labor market
comprises jobs requiring less than a bachelor’s degree, but more
Career and
Technical Education:
Don’t Leave High School
without It! By Brenda Long
NRV Putting Passengers
A Broad-based Regional Initiative
For more information, visit
• Enabling future economic
development opportunities
• Promoting safer, more efficient
travel on the I-81 corridor
Passenger train travel to the New River Valley,
one of Virginia’s fastest-growing regions
Safe, Efficient and Convenient Passenger Rail for a Fast-Growing Region
NewRiver Valley
RA I L 2 0 2 0
Putting Passengers On Track
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