<h2><strong>2022 VSBA Excellence in Workforce Readiness Award</strong></h2>
The Virginia School Boards Association and the VSBA Task Force on Workforce Readiness Co-Chairs Mr. Teddy Martin and Dr. Jeffrey Smith would like to invite your school division to apply for the annual <em>Excellence in Workforce Readiness </em>award. This award seeks to recognize Virginia School Divisions who have achieved excellence in Workforce Readiness through an innovative program/project within your school community with emphasis on:
<ul>
 	<li>communication and collaboration with the business community;</li>
 	<li>student engagement with the business community; or</li>
 	<li>student entrepreneurial activities.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.vsba.org/2022_application-workforcereadinessaward/" rel="attachment wp-att-8996">2022 Workforce Readiness Award Application</a>

<a href="https://www.vsba.org/2022-vsba-rubric-workforce-readiness-award/" rel="attachment wp-att-8997">2022 VSBA Rubric Workforce Readiness Award</a>
<h2>Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 VSBA Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards</h2>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION BELOW 5,000 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Louisa County Public Schools, The Little Lions Learning Lab:
</strong>Conveniently located on the campus of Louisa County High School (LCHS), the Little Lions Learning Lab (4L) is an innovative early learning and childcare program that is fully operated by LCHS Career and Technical Education staff and students. The Little Lions Learning Lab operates Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through the utilization of student[1]teachers, student interns, and student apprentices, the learning lab provides childcare to 19 children ages 3-5, all of whom are the children of LCPS employees! The program - which debuted in Fall 2019 - is a valuable asset for LCPS and is already generating substantial benefits in two specific ways: It serves as a convenient and affordable childcare option for LCPS staff. This greatly assists our school division in attracting and retaining top educational talent. It provides a real-life learning lab for our early childhood education students at Louisa County High School, providing them with valuable experience in areas such as child development and supervision.<strong>
</strong>

<a style="color: #e11a3b; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://vimeo.com/574453222">Click Here </a>to view the acceptance video

<strong>Second Place- Goochland County Public Schools, Utility and Heavy Equipment Operators: Building the Foundation for a Career</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Workforce Ready Diploma Seal Initiative</strong>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION BETWEEN 5,001 – 10,000 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Culpeper County Public Schools, Teachers for Tomorrow, Esquared, Mock Interviews and Health Care Day:
</strong>Career Partners, Inc. is made possible through a steadfast relationship between Culpeper County educators, businesses, and government leadership. This partnership has established student workforce readiness as a cornerstone of economic development by providing opportunities to explore, participate, and engage in real-world, locally based work experiences. Career Partners, Inc. (CPI), an established 501(c), facilitates synergy between Culpeper County Public Schools and local businesses by providing both the community representation and the financial backing necessary to ensure work-based learning experiences are reflective of actual economic opportunities within Culpeper. Consisting of a Board of Directors, teachers, school staff, and countless volunteers, CPI operates six educational programs, four of which provide direct workforce readiness opportunities exclusively to Culpeper County students.<strong>
</strong>

<a href="https://vimeo.com/572721440">Click Here</a> to view the acceptance video

<strong>Second Place- Henry County Public Schools, Oh Henry! Internships for the Fu</strong><b>ture</b>

<strong>Third Place- Shenandoah County Public Schools, Biomedical Capstone Projects: Department of Motor Vehicles Automated Perimetry by Eli Dellinger</strong>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION ABOVE 10,001 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, WJCC Schools Healthcare Programs Initiative:
</strong>WJCC's Healthcare Program Initiative utilizes a community-driven approach to developing workforce-ready healthcare students. By starting with local healthcare employers to determine specific needs, an examination of healthcare workforce trends locally and state- and nation-wide, and a survey of our student population, we were able to determine both a great need for entry-level healthcare workers and a high interest from our student population. The implementation of a "healthcare bootcamp" this summer will ensure that our students are ready to excel in college coursework and provide an overview of the healthcare terminology, industry, types of jobs, etc. "Future Focus Friday" career readiness workshops will be implemented on a monthly basis and include topics such as resume writing, mock interviews with actual healthcare employers, guest speakers from the healthcare field, and much more. As we look to the future WJCC, along with its community partners, will replicate this model of student program development in other industry sectors to ensure that we are offering relevant programs that prepare our students for direct employment after high school, or to continue further education on their career pathway. Easily replicated at the regional and state levels, this process leads to an educated workforce that fulfills community needs.

<a style="color: #e11a3b; text-decoration: underline;" href="https://vimeo.com/573990612">Click Here</a> to view the acceptance video

<b>Second Place- Roanoke County Public Schools, Roanoke County Public Schools' Registered Apprenticeship Program</b>

<strong>Third Place- Portsmouth City Public Schools, Health Sciences Career Development Program</strong>
<h3>Regional Winner in Workforce Readiness Awards:</h3>
<b>First Place- New Horizons Regional Education Center, BUILD Hampton Roads; Good Life Solution Program:
</b>The NHRE C BUILD Hampton Roads “Good Life Solution” (GLS) program directly addresses the region’s need to build a skilled workforce and recognizes that many high school students will transition to a post-secondary career. We strive to give students the skills they need and the introductions to employers they desire to gain high-paying employment after high school. The program not only serves our students but energizes the area’s manufacturing, construction, and automotive economy by creating a ready-to-learn entry-level workforce pipeline. This enables local employers to recruit, hire, train, and retain students who complete the GLS program. We accomplish this one employer, one job, one GLS graduate at a time. Built into our NHREC Advanced Technical Careers Academy (Automotive, Construction, and Manufacturing), the GLS program aims to transform traditional career and technical education program paradigms by connecting employers to a pipeline of trained and qualified entry-level candidates. This approach leads to high-quality jobs for our students and high-quality employees for our local community. First initiated in 2017, the Good Life Solution program represents a revolutionary approach to career and technical education that focuses on employers’ hiring and retention needs and the skills and desires of our students.<b>
</b>

<a href="https://vimeo.com/575837637">Click Here</a> to view the acceptance video

<strong>Questions?</strong>
<p style="padding-left: 40px;">Contact J.T. Kessler, Government Relations Specialist, at 800-446-8722, 434-295-8722 or e-mail jason@vsba.org.</p>
Thank you to our sponsor, VMDO.

<img src="https://www.vsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/architecture-firm-vmdo-branding-design.jpg-e1614266375519-300x75.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="75">
<h2>Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 VSBA Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards</h2>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION BELOW 5,000 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Cumberland County Public Schools, Career Connections &amp; Dukes Discover Program</strong>
The Career Connections and Dukes Discover program prepares students for the workforce by allowing them to explore careers and obtain hands on training while in middle and high school. The program provides students with opportunities to learn skills needed to be successful in high-wage, high-demand careers in welding, precision machining, automation, robotics, engineering, and health sciences. "Career Connections and Dukes Discover: Bridging the Gap" is an innovative program that aligns with the Profile of a Virginia Graduate initiative in that it seeks to provide students with the skills, especially the 5 C's, that will enable them to get and retain high-wage, high-demand jobs in fields of their choice. It revamps high schools so that learning is no longer measured in seat time, allowing students to receive course credits for workplace learning provided by experts in the field. This program connects students to the community and is ensuring Cumberland County students are prepared for success upon graduation.

<strong>Second Place- Goochland County Public Schools, Business and Education Roundtables</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Salem City Public Schools, Future Pathways</strong>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION BETWEEN 5,001 – 10,000 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Pittsylvania County Public Schools, Precision Machining Technology</strong>
The Precision Machining Program at the Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center has expanded opportunities for students in Pittsylvania County Schools, thus providing 20 students each year with the opportunity to plant their own seed to career success here in their own region. The program is a proven pipeline into advanced manufacturing that saves students time, and money. Nearly one hundred students have graduated from PCTC and have either obtained a job in the field or went on to earn their associates degree at the Gene Haas Center for Integrated Machining. The direct pipeline of STEM based, hands-on education has proven to build a strong foundation of connections from the middle school level all the way into the workplace. Students that leave PCTC, transition to DCC and graduate with a Precision Machining Diploma have 100% job placement. The active engagement of our business and industry partners within our Precision Machining Program along with the support of Danville Community College has created a successful pipeline of skilled workforce for the advanced manufacturing industry.

<strong>Second Place- Shenandoah County Public Schools, Cradle to Careers</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Prince George County Public Schools, After-School Logistics Workforce Development Program</strong>
<h3><strong>STUDENT POPULATION ABOVE 10,001 STUDENTS</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Fairfax County Public Schools, Health and Medical Services Programs</strong>
Following a review of employment data, Fairfax County Public Schools engaged in a partnership with the Claude Moore Foundation and other healthcare partners to expand the Health and Medical Sciences programs. Systematically increasing access to programs for students interested in both entering the workforce and going on to 2- and 4-year collegiate programs. Postsecondary education is not a practical option for every student and this program creates a trained cohort of graduates able to immediately enter the workforce in one of the region's highest-need industries. Students receive hands-on training on advanced industry standard equipment. During the 2019-20 school year more than 1,900 students were enrolled in HMS courses. Students obtained 241 certifications and licenses that confirm they are prepared for the workforce. The graduation rate for the 2018-19 school year among CTE completer students was 99.6 percent. Falls Church and West Potomac Academies were designated by VDOE as Governor’s Health Science Academies, a title bestowed to academic centers that were created to provide expanded options for students in health sciences and prepare them for high-demand, high-wage, and high-skill careers.

<strong>Second Place- Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield Career and Technical Center Work-Based Learning Program </strong>

<strong>Third Place- Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Undefeated Youth- Workforce Development Program</strong>

<hr>

<h2>Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards</h2>
<h3><strong>Student Population Below 5,000 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Dinwiddie County Public Schools, #CTE4ALL</strong>
The #CTE4ALL initiative includes local county partnerships, as well as, over 100 local and regional employers that are committed to the vision of career pathways for every student. The Dinwiddie County School Board is committed to ensuring that 100% of the students are life ready which includes college and career readiness skills.

<strong>Second Place- Louisa County Public Schools, Automotive Tech at Louisa County High School</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Cumberland County Public Schools, Ticket2Tomorrow: Developing Work-Ready Students</strong>
<h3><strong>Student Population Between 5,001 – 10,000 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Isle of Wight County Public Schools, Incorporating Authenticity into CTE Programs</strong>
From the beginning, IWCS focused on providing experiences that would prepare students to go directly into work. Facilities and spaces were built or renovated to simulate actual workplace environments. The division sought out instructors with extensive industry experience who provided instant credibility for our programs. The relationships they established in their previous careers translate to additional partnerships between school and workforce. The partners serve as consultants to ensure the spaces were outfitted with state of the art, industry standard equipment. Business representatives collaborate with instructors to develop curriculum that incorporate the skills and knowledge to prepare students for a successful transition to a post-secondary career.

<strong>Second Place- Henry County Public Schools, Career Academy</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Shenandoah County Public Schools, Connecting Students with the Community</strong>
<h3><strong>Student Population Above 10,001 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Henrico County Public Schools, Setting the Bar High: CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day</strong>
The purpose of the CTE Letter of Intent Signing Day is to celebrate students who are entering the workforce after graduation. Many students and athletes have received accolades for achieving their goal of being accepted into the college of their choice. Henrico CTE decided that students entering the world of work right out of high school also deserve recognition. The CTE Signing Day has brought students, teachers and many of Virginia’s businesses together to fill the many great paying jobs that require certified skills and is a great example in showing what CTE programs can provide to graduates.

<strong>Second Place- Frederick County Public Schools, Work-based Learning Program</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Albemarle County Public Schools, Health and Medical Sciences Academy</strong>

<hr>

<h2>Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 VSBA Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards</h2>
<h3><strong>Student Population Below 5,000 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Carroll County Public Schools, High School STEM Lab</strong>
Carroll County High School’s STEM Lab for agriculture, developed with guidance from faculty at Virginia Tech may have been one of the first in the nation. The combination of a dedicated STEM lab equipped with the latest biotechnology research tools and a dedicated 65-acre farm for agriculture production and research operated by the school’s agriculture department, allows students to learn scientific protocols that will assist local producers to meet higher food safety standards.

<strong>Second Place- Louisa County Public Schools, Registered Apprenticeship Program</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Youth Workforce Development Initiative</strong>
<h3><strong>Student Population Between 5,001 – 10,000 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Montgomery County Public Schools, Work Based Learning Program</strong>
Montgomery County’s Work-Based Learning program has created a cohesive system of career planning and workplace experience that will create Work Ready graduates. Students first learn about career opportunities in the community through field trips, business speakers, career days, and job fairs and then are provided with a variety of placement types. This community-wide effort has dramatically increased the number of work-based learning experiences for their students. To date, 235 local businesses or individuals have committed to providing workplace opportunities for their students.

<strong>Second Place- Pittsylvania County Public Schools, Precision Machining Technology Program</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Augusta County Public Schools, Manufacturing Program at Stuarts Draft High School</strong>
<h3><strong>Student Population Above 10,001 Students</strong></h3>
<strong>First Place- Hampton City Public Schools, Academies of Hampton</strong>
Working with over 450 industries; postsecondary, civic and government leaders; school administrators; and teachers and students; Hampton City Public Schools examined gaps between current and future workforce needs, identified local and regional projections in high-demand careers, and aligned local and state workforce development priorities. The process resulted in a five-year master plan transforming their four high schools to wall-to-wall college and career academies where students learn through a career-focused lens that connects classroom‐learning experiences to real-world career aspirations.

<strong>Second Place- Virginia Beach City Public Schools, High School Career Pathway Internships for Workforce Readiness</strong>

<strong>Third Place- Fairfax County Public Schools, Secondary Transition to Employment Program</strong>

<strong>Questions?</strong>
Contact J.T. Kessler, government relations specialist, at 800-446-8722, 434-295-8722 or e-mail jason@vsbaDOTorg