CATEC's 2024 School-to-Work Signing Day celebration was held on May 14 at CATEC.
School-to-Work Signing Day celebrates CATEC students’ outstanding performances and commitments to employment with local businesses. 29 students across seven CATEC programs were recognized for rolling their apprenticeships, internships, and job interviews into careers with 24 local employers. Employers hiring students include both large and small businesses. Guests included Charlottesville City Schools and Albemarle County Public Schools School Board members, as well as Trades and Technical Education Foundation Board members, CATEC families, and local businesses.
CATEC Principal Dr. Stacey Heltz says, “Like student athletes signing commitments to attend colleges for sports, CATEC is acknowledging our students who are entering the workforce and the local businesses who seek out our students for employment.” Nurse Assistant Instructor Jessica Carter-Payne had 10 Certified Nursing Assistants signing with healthcare facilities. She says, “This year our program was able to connect with many employers, including Sentara Martha Jefferson, which is a huge accomplishment for our program.”
The event was sponsored by the Trades and Technical Education Foundation and Red Wing Shoes. The Trades and Technical Education Foundation, which assists in advancing career and technical education, training, and job placement, provided students with industry-specific tools and equipment valued at $150 per student. Red Wing Shoes provided each student with a $175 gift card for industry footwear and accessories. Red Wing Shoes Store Manager Bill Gardner says the collaboration with CATEC is, “an amazing opportunity for Red Wing Charlottesville to engage with America’s next generation of trades people. It gives us a great sense of pride to get them started off on the ‘right foot’ and to be a part of such a wonderful community institution such as CATEC.”