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It’s a time of celebration for Charlotte County students, as they graduate from a number of different programs this month. One of those happened on May 15 at the Southern Virginia High Education Center (SVHEC), which honored 69 high school juniors and seniors who successfully completed training in the Career Tech Academy.

Students were from Charlotte, Halifax and Mecklenburg counties and completed hands-on training programs in Automation & Robotics, Energy Systems Technology, IT/Cybersecurity, HVAC, Welding, and Work-Based Learning.

Randolph-Henry High School students Sarah Hobart and Aaryn Marston were recognized for successfully completing the IT/Cybersecurity program.

“This year was like no other,” said CTA Director Rosa Dunn. “We had challenges and obstacles, but we all overcame them. I could not have asked for a better first completion ceremony as director of the Career Tech Academy.”

BY THE NUMBERS

The 2023-24 CTA students earned 277 industry recognized credentials, and 65 Career Studies Certificates through Danville Community College or Southside VA Community College. The credentials are recognized by industry and demonstrate that students have the knowledge, skills, and ability to enter the workforce or continue their education at a college or university.

Among the 69 CTA completers were 17 seniors who were enrolled in CTA’s Work-Based Learning program. This seniors-only program connects students with regional businesses where they function as employees and apply the skills gained during their hands-on training program.

Students gain invaluable experience in the workforce, and employers have an opportunity to mentor and develop their future workforce.

Six of these Work-Based Learning students were also enrolled in a registered youth apprenticeship where they completed over 2,800 combined hours of on-the-job training. As a registered youth apprentice, students are considered paid, part-time employees on day one, and can seamlessly transition to full-time employees after graduation. The registered apprenticeship also puts students on an early path towards earning a journeyman’s card — a portable, nationally recognized credential for the trades.

Dunn expressed her gratitude to the CTA community for a successful year.

“Thank you to all of the parents, partners, and employers who showed up to support our students without you all, none of this is possible,” Dunn said. “Thank you to my staff as well. Without dedicated instructors our students would not have been able to earn their career studies certificates or the number of credentials that they earned this year. Lastly, our students, I am so proud of their dedication and all of the hard work they put into this school year. They have set themselves up for a great future and learned valuable skills along the way.”

The Career Tech Academy is currently enrolling for the 2024-25 school year.