Electrical Students

PRESS RELEASE

Date: April 30, 2020

CATEC AWARDED $37,500 FROM VDOE COMPETITIVE INNOVATION PROGRAM EQUIPMENT GRANT

As Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) prepares to promote National Skilled Trades Day on May 6th, it excitedly announces it has been awarded $37,500 from the Virginia Department of Education’s Competitive Innovation Program Equipment Grant. CATEC is one of 16 Virginia Career and Technical Education programs receiving grant money to upgrade its equipment to improve student learning.  Adult Education and Apprenticeship Programs Manager Shannon Tomlin wrote the grant specifically for CATEC’s Building Trades and Electricity programs, with plans to modernize their equipment and enable them to purchase new training materials.

CATEC will purchase electrical simulation training systems and a solar photovoltaic troubleshooting learning system, which allows students to find electrical wiring problems through simulated “bugged” equipment. The equipment and training simulators will increase students’ understanding of safety, installation, and maintenance. These dynamic experiences will teach the importance of problem solving and service aspects of workforce training that are otherwise difficult to teach. Building Trades and Electricity Instructor Sid Trimmer says the new equipment will “give students relevant hands-on learning opportunities, securing student safety that better prepares them for employment.”

CATEC Director Stephanie Carter says, “With Shannon Tomlin raising more than $160,000 in grant funding, plus $9,000 in equipment and supplies, for our skilled trades programs over the last three years, CATEC is playing a vital role in helping local businesses close the skills gap.” Research shows three million workers will be needed for the nation’s infrastructure in the next decade, including designing, building and operating housing, utilities and telecommunications. CATEC’s Building Trades and Electricity programs prepare students for entry-level employment in the in-demand, high-wage construction industry.

Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) is a regional technical education center that helps high school students and adults obtain the jobs they seek. Our centralized, unified career development program helps students develop strategic approaches to cultivating their careers. CATEC was founded in 1973 and serves students from both Albemarle County Schools and Charlottesville City Schools. 

 

 

 

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