The success of CATEC's High School and Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs relies heavily on CATEC's relationships with local organizations and our community partners. We strive to develop strong relationships with local businesses that provide guidance, support, and work and training opportunities for our students.
EDUCATION PARTNERS
We work with Albemarle County Public Schools and Charlottesville City Schools to provide academically rigorous courses that seamlessly works with students' interests, career goals, and academic needs. High school students can successfully complete a hands-on learning experience through our programs, including opportunities for real-world, work-based learning experiences, including mentorships, job shadows, internships, and apprenticeships. Students can earn industry credentials, making CATEC students marketable upon graduation.
CATEC's High School program has dual-enrollment agreements with local community colleges, allowing students to earn free college credit while in high school. On average, CATEC students earn 11 dual enrollment credits. Working with Piedmont Virginia Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, and Central Virginia Community College, students have opportunities to push their academic skills as well as prepare themselves for their post-secondary career path.
BUSINESS PARTNERS
Local employers help CATEC students graduate well prepared to compete in the local and global workforce. Each academic program relies on its Advisory Board, a group of local business partners, to ensure students are meeting industry needs, using up-to-date equipment and supplies, and accessing work-based learning opportunities, including Youth Registered Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships. Our local business partners make these experiences possible.
In the past year, our business partners have supported our students in a variety of ways. Our business partners donate their time and supplies to support our SkillsUSA District competitions. They also support our programs through our guest speaker series and interview experiences. Recent community support includes:
Equipment and Supplies
When business partners donate equipment and supplies to CATEC programs, students are guaranteed an enriched learning experience. Preparing students with the most up-to-date equipment gives them an advantage when entering the workforce.
Individual Donations
Individuals living in our community who understand the value CATEC has in providing real-world training make donations to our programs as well.
Work-Based Learning
CATEC prides itself on ensuring that 100% of our high school students receive work-based learning experiences. Local businesses can partner with high school students through mentorships, job shadows, internships, or Youth Registered Apprenticeships. CATEC programs encourage local businesses to participate in guest speaker series to share information about real-life industry experiences and expectations. Businesses can also partner with adult students through CATEC’s Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs. CATEC consistently serves the academic needs of more than 200 apprentices each semester. CATEC’s Apprenticeship programs are approved by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and provide employer-sponsors and their employees with required related technical instruction hours needed to satisfy a full apprenticeship program.
Employment Opportunities
Becoming a CATEC-affiliated employer benefits both CATEC students and local businesses. As businesses look to hire top-notch employees and build a strong local economy, they can become an integral part of sustaining the school-to-work pipeline at CATEC. Advisory Board members have opportunities to provide guidance and make curriculum recommendations that can help a business's potential new hires. CATEC programs work with local business partners to provide job interview opportunities for students as well. CATEC consistently works to connect local businesses with ready-to-work students. High school students have internship and apprenticeship opportunities where they simultaneously receive high school and college credit, earn income, and receive post-secondary employment offers. CATEC’s School-to-Work Signing Day event celebrates students’ hard work at CATEC and their continual professionalism in the workplace as they enter into formal commitments to enter employment with local businesses.
Continued Training
Building relationships with CATEC also affords training opportunities for a business's current workforce. CATEC is a certified training site for many continuing education exams and offers post-secondary education opportunities to employees through its Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs.
If you are interested in becoming a community partner, Click here for more details to complete an interest form and email it to one of the following:
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