Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center’s 2025 School-to-Work Signing Day celebration was held May 13 at 6:00 pm at CATEC in its auditorium.
School-to-Work Signing Day celebrates CATEC students’ outstanding performances and commitments to employment with local businesses or the military. Twenty-seven students across six CATEC programs were recognized for rolling their internships, after school jobs, and job interviews into careers with 17 local employers and two branches of the United States military. Employers hiring students include small businesses as well as large employers like UVA Health.
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.”
The event was sponsored by the Trades and Technical Education Foundation and Red Wing Shoes. The Trades and Technical Education Foundation is 501c3-designated non-profit established with an unwavering commitment to providing support and advocacy for students of all ages embarking on careers in the skilled trades. The organization is providing students with industry-specific tools and equipment valued at $150 per student. Red Wing Shoes provided each student with a gift card for industry footwear and accessories.