Workforce NOW Holds Third Annual Superintendent Forum
October 1, 2024
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce NOW program held the third annual Superintendent’s Forum on September 17th. The forum featured Superintendents and representatives from Planning District 16’s five school divisions. Dr. Antoinette Jenkins, Director of the Rappahannock Work and Learn Collaborative at the University of Mary Washington, moderated the panel with questions focused on work-based learning and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.
Panelists discussed programs available to all students, including those not continuing on to a two-year or four-year institution, and how career exploration, work-based learning, and credentialing can help prepare those students to enter the workforce straight out of high school. “Work-based learning is really for all students, not just for students who are going to college,” said Dr. Clint Mitchell, superintendent for Spotsylvania County Public Schools. “And I want to make sure that we provide the opportunity for all kids…”
Panelists also highlighted how partnerships between the school divisions and private industry or local businesses can benefit both students and their future employers. Some of these partnerships are already in place thanks to connections made at the Workforce NOW annual Internship Expo. Examples include Partnerships between:
- Mary Washington Healthcare and Fredericksburg City Schools,
- CMC Rebar and King George County Schools,
- SIM Ventions and Stafford County Schools,
- Habitat with Humanity with Caroline County Schools
“It’s all about making sure that our partnerships are supporting a curriculum to help students experience the interests that they have, and to solidify those choices they’re making in terms of their career pathways or to maybe move them into a different direction,” Dr. Marcie Rice from Stafford County Schools stated.
The Superintendent Forum is part of the Workforce NOW programming, funded in part by GO Virginia Region 6. To stay up to date on future Workforce NOW events and to register, visit the Chamber’s website.
