Virginia Awards Career And Technical Education Grants To Alexandria, Stafford Schools

VIRGINIA — Virginia awarded a total of $1.5 million in grants for career and technical education programs to seven school divisions across the state, including Alexandria Public Schools and Stafford County Public Schools, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

Virginia’s Career and Technical Education High School Innovation Grant program provides one-time funding for school divisions to help students earn a high school diploma, industry-recognized credential and an associate degree in five years or less.

The programs also provide work-based learning experiences for students, including mentorships and paid internships.

Alexandria Public Schools received a $200,000 from the state to expand existing college and career programs targeting underrepresented student groups and first-generation college-goers, including options for graduates to enter the workforce while earning a degree.

Stafford County Public Schools was awarded a $158,043 grant to support its partnership with Germanna Community College and local businesses to create a four- to five- year pathway for high school students to complete industry certifications in cybersecurity and earn an associate degree.

“This investment will help students grow and get good jobs,” Northam said in a statement Tuesday. “These programs are great opportunities for students to get valuable experience in industries with high-demand and high-paying jobs.”

The grants will help school divisions create opportunities for students who want to move directly from school to a technical and trade job in their own communities.

“I also wish to thank the community colleges and private sector partners that are providing work-based learning experiences and making it possible for students to complete associate degrees within a year of graduating from high school,” Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said.

The other Virginia school divisions that received grants were Alleghany County Public Schools, Buchanan County Public Schools, Grayson County Public Schools, Radford Public Schools and West Point Public Schools.

The Career and Technical Education High School Innovation Grants are funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.

RELATED: Germanna Wins Major Funding For Its Tech Talent Pipeline Project