Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) hosted its inaugural Career and Technical Education (CTE) career signing ceremony May 20 to honor high school seniors entering high-demand industries or the military after graduation.
“The division’s CTE programs offer cutting-edge career and technical experiences for students to explore a wide range of high-wage, high-skill and high-demand career pathways. Whether a student plans to attend college, seek an apprenticeship, join the military or begin work right after high school, VBCPS provides opportunities to support every student’s career dream,” said Dr. Sara Lockett, director of the Office of Technical and Career Education.
At the signing ceremony, students from the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center, the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) and their future employers signed letters of intent, specifying their commitment to full-time employment related to the technical and career courses completed and industry credentials earned while in high school. Some students received Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits and signing bonuses.
Ten programs were represented at the event, ranging from auto body to cosmetology to welding to practical nursing to cyber security system technology. The students collectively achieved more than 100 industry credentials.
“This is a proud moment for me,” added Lockett.
VBCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence welcomed the students and employers to ATC, emphasizing the division’s commitment to making sure every graduate is college and career ready through what he referred to as the “four e’s”: educated, enrolled, employed or enlisted.
Lockett said this will be an annual event from henceforth.
For more information on the division’s CTE program visit vbschools.com.
Congratulations to the following students and their new employers:
Justin Altman, Charles Barker Collision Repair
Chase Alvarez, Hall Body Shop
Nate Anderson, U.S. Army
Aaron Arsenault, Snow Jr. & King Inc.
Jorge Ayala, U.S. Marines
Nakyra Brickhouse, U.S. Air Force
Zachary Forbes, Snow Jr. & King Inc.
Malik Green, Hall Body Shop
Joshua Hollins, Charles Barker Collision Repair
Ruvani Jenkins, U.S. Army
Quintin Jones, Car Spa
Miles Kendrick, U.S. Army
Andrew Laidler, U.S. Marines
Bryan Lopez, Charles Barker Toyota
Alex Larkin, Biznuity LLC
Charles Loxley, Complete Automotive
Sage Norman, U.S. Navy
John Norris, U.S. Army
Phillipe Rivera- Barrera, Rick Hendrick Chevrolet
Tori Roby, Great Clips
Griffin Shields, U.S. Marines
Ernest Thomas, Snow Jr. & King Inc.
Emil Ulloa-Murillo, Desimone’s Auto Body
Evan Zahn, U.S. Army