Bridging Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Construction Industry

"Companies can partner with school divisions by collaborating with school personnel to set up High Quality Work-Based Learning (HQWBL) opportunities for students. HQWBL opportunities include anything from a several-hour Job Shadow experience to official (multi-thousand hour) Registered Apprenticeships. HQWBL opportunities serve several important purposes to bolster the future workforce. Two primary purposes are: to help students explore career possibilities in their region and to help companies get word out about the great employment opportunities at their place of work and, in some HQWBL cases, begin growing their own employees while they are still in high school."

~ Jason Suhr, CTE Director, Roanoke County Public Schools

 

The best way contractors can support students, instructors and schools are listed below:

Join your local Career and Technical Education (CTE) advisory board,
Reach out and speak with the CTE instructor that teaches programs relevant to your specific industry,
Attend open house/career fair events at local technical centers,
Invite teachers to networking events that allow them to meet local contractors,
Invite teachers to training events that allow them to learn from local contractors,
Donate materials that can support your local program, and
Provide work-based learning (internships, co-ops, on-the-job training, transitional jobs, and apprenticeships) experiences for students.
~ Brandon Martin, Ph.D., Coordinator, Trade and Industrial Education, Virginia Beach City Public School

 

Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) works with contractors to provide access to our heavy equipment service technicians through co-op programs and recruiting relationships. Our contractor partners recognize the value of investing in future talent and many assist students in various ways.

“When seeking to hire heavy equipment service technicians from ATI, contractors know they are getting an individual who is committed to the industry and has already been trained on the fundamental skills needed to succeed in the business” says Donald Chapman, Director of Workforce Solutions at ATI.

To secure the future of their business in today’s workforce talent market, contractors should use every tool available. Working with CTE and technical schools should be an integral part of new talent acquisition.

 

In Lynchburg City Schools our partnership with local contractors is growing.  Having a member of the AGCVA on our CTE General Advisory Board has been really beneficial.  She has helped set up tours with local contractors at job sites and set up guest speakers.  Many of our local contractors will participate in our job/career fair this spring.  We have also had local contractors donate materials.  Another way we are hoping to grow this partnership is to have local contractors assist with judging SkillsUSA contests in 2025 when Lynchburg will hosts the SkillsUSA District contest for the first time in over 10 years. These are great ways for contractors to get involved in local CTE programs.  As our partnership grows we hope to work with local contractors to provide apprenticeship opportunities for LCS students.

~ Robbie Dooley, Supervisor of Career & Technical Education, Lynchburg City Schools

 

The Chesterfield Career & Technical Centers advisory group for the HVAC/R program plays multiple roles that not only guide the program but encourages students. At the beginning of the school year we host an Advisory Night where we discuss incoming students and curriculum interest for the school year. This meeting also provides industry-based feedback for what they think should be included in the program and what areas they think need improvement. Our contractors come in monthly, and sometimes more, from September through May. They come in to help with lesson content, to discuss life in the field, and they also come in to talk about the company that they work for and what their employment opportunities are.

Chad Blalock (WM Jordan) talked to students and encouraged them to stay with the trades. He talked about what being a Tradesman has to offer to the community. Jon Drake (Colonial Webb) came in twice this year, once to run an electricity lab with students and once to talk about the refrigeration cycle and to also talk about working for Colonial. Dan Schultheis highlighted ACI and what types of projects they worked on. He talked about what our students would need to do to be a candidate for employment with ACI. In past visits Dan has also brought in members of his team to talk on a variety of topics from VRF to continuing their vocational education. Andrew Grigsby (Viridaint) discussed how to help customers cut costs with energy efficient equipment and proper ducting systems. Trane, EMC, Bradley Mechanical, and a few others worked out scheduled visits too.

~ Will Willis, Master HVAC/R / Master Plumber / Instructor, Chesterfield Career and Technical Center at Courthouse