Henrico CTE Now

We talk to Senior Master Sgt. Walt Davis, Air Force Reserve, and Captain Tom Holder, Marine Corps JROTC, Highland Springs HS, will discuss how JROTC works and the many life and career benefits our JROTC students receive, and eliminate many myths about JROTC.

We had scheduled a student to be with Heather Veneziano, but they had to cancel at the last minute. We still had a great talk about the Horticulture/Landscaping program at the ACE Center at Virginia Randolph and the huge demand for workers in many fields connected to our program.

Today we speak with Lisa Gyamfi, Instructor, Henrico County- St. Mary's Hospital School of Practical Nursing, Angela Wise, Class of '25, Henrico County - St. Mary's Hospital School of Practical Nursing, Jordan Baxter, Class of '25, Henrico County - St. Mary's Hospital School of Practical Nursing and the dire need to attract more young people to fill the huge demand for nurses and all medical personnel in today's world.

The construction trades are suffering from a huge shortage of skilled tradesmen in the U.S. Many companies are exploring how they can attract more young people, men, and women, to the construction trades to deal with the increasing workload in their industry. Learn about the varied career paths in the industry and why they are great careers to follow. We talked with former ACE Center carpentry student, and in college to become an architect, Sky Allen, and Michael Higgins, and Charlie Mahaffey with Kokosing Construction.

Arianna, a student in the Pharmacy Tech program at the ACE Center, and her instructor, Jamaal Willis, discuss career opportunities in the retail pharmacy field. Many students, including Arianna, are already working and have promising futures ahead.

In this episode, we talk with Jake Duffee, General Manager at the Caliber Collision in Glen Allen. Caliber is listed in the country's top 20 body shop companies and has many locations all over the Richmond area. Jake talks to us about the industry and how they set the standard when it comes to hiring and training their employees. Careers in the auto body industry have changed so much in the past 20 years for the better and this is a great interview to listen to if you are considering a career in the industry.

In this episode, we were at the Career Mega Sale where students and adults were able to meet with area businesses who are highly motivated to hire for many different positions with their companies. Hundreds showed up looking to fill available positions. We spoke with Jeremy Davis with Miller Electric, Michelle Crittenden with Bon Secours Health System, and Janese Owens with the Virginia State Police about their experience and what they hoped to accomplish.

With career opportunities plentiful in construction, the Richmond chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is paving the way for more women to enter the industry in a variety of roles. In this episode, Kristi Smith, Jessica Behmke, and Kelly Schips share their stories of entering the construction field and what our community can do to encourage more girls to do the same.  

In this episode, we are at this year's Career Rodeo and we talk with organizers, businesses, and students about why they think the Career Rodeo is important for our students and businesses.

In our latest episode, we have a couple of great guests that are talking about a marketing/ entrepreneurship competition, Make It Your Business and our Business Management, Technology and Marketing programs at the ACE Centers and middle and high schools. The competition is a Shark Tank type of competition, and we had middle school students from all over the county. Have a listen and find out more about what happened.

In this episode, we chat with the Virginia Department of Education's Director of Career and Technical Education about the changes that Career and Technical Education has experienced over the years, CTE's importance today, and his connection to Henrico County Schools. You don't want to miss it!

In this episode, we are chatting with Chris Williams, Equipment Repair Technician with the Virginia State Police and completer of the Automotive Tech program at the ACE Center at Highland Springs. We also had William Boswell, Equipment Operations Manager, VSP, Randy Pickerall, Equipment Repair Supervisor, VSP, and Steven Rigsby, Fleet Manager, VSP. They sat down with us and discussed their need to employ technicians to install equipment in new police vehicles, planes, and helicopters. Maintain and repair their vehicles and so much more. Discover the many career opportunities with the Virginia State Police.

Karen Haluska, a teacher at Hungary Creek MS and mother of two sons, talked with us about how well her sons are doing at the ACE Center at Hermitage. Please listen to her and Brayden who is in the Automotive Technology program and AJ who is in the Culinary Arts program talk about the many benefits of ACE Center programs and how it has changed their lives for the better.

In this episode, we visit the JROTC Marines program at Hermitage High School. We talked with one of their instructors, First Sargent Otis James, and cadets Capt. Raven Symes, and First Sargent Excellent Fred-Dyck. We discussed why our two students chose JROTC what you learned as a cadet, why they feel it was important for them, and why they think more students should experience the JROTC program.

In this episode, we are talking to Teacher Apprenticeship instructor Heather McMunn, Crestview Elementary teacher and graduate of the Teacher Apprenticeship, Andy Harris, and Alyvia Hathaway, currently in the Teacher Apprenticeship program at the ACE Center at Hermitage. This program is about preparing you to go to college so you can become a teacher so you should listen to this valuable information of how you can participate in this program.

In this episode, we talk to Erin Hurley, Jermail Foster, Mia Hennig, Nyla, and Renee at this year's #LifeReady Expo. This year we had over four thousand students and family members talking to businesses about the diverse types of careers each business offers and what students need to do to prepare themselves to be ready to start their career plans.

Brothers Jason Dixon, with VSC Fire, Jeremy Dixon, owner of Dixon's Automotive, and David Dixon, with Mechanicsville Honda, came together at Dixion's Automotive in Ashland to talk with us about each graduating from Highland Springs Technical Center, now named The ACE Center at Highland Springs, and how each of them succeeded in life. https://dixonsautorepair.com/ https://www.mechanicsvillehonda.com/ https://vscfire.com/

In our latest episode, our guests are The Workforce and Career Development Director Mac Beaton and three of his former electronics students, Andre Dabney, David Hall, and Jonathan Wright. They talk to us about how important career and technical education was for them in high school and what makes CTE even more important for students today.

While the fire protection business is a well-kept secret, the industry is growing dramatically with excellent opportunities for entry-level technicians. Nathaniel Johnson, a 2024 graduate of HCPS and a new employee with VSC Fire & Security, shares his story of pivoting from college-bound to career-ready. Jason Dixon, an alum of Highland Springs Tech and field superintendent with VSC Fire & Security, gives us a glimpse into the responsibilities and realities of fire protection professionals.

In this episode, we're on location at the New Teacher Academy to meet a few new recruits and hear advice from seasoned veterans. HCPS is proud to have some of the finest teachers in the Commonwealth, and we're excited to welcome our newest members to the CTE family.

Talented students from across the nation converged in Orlando for the national FBLA competition. A trio from Tucker High School's IB Program distinguished themselves in the Website Coding and Development category, with a website designed to take on real-world challenges. How did they do in the heat of competition and what did they learn about themselves in the process? Meet the team and their accomplished FBLA advisor, Yvette Lee. Guests:     Yvette Lee: AP Computer Science, Tucker HS     Om Tasgaonkar, Tucker IB Program       Rutam Tasgaonkar, Tucker IB Program     Pranav Konjeti, Tucker IB Program

On today's episode we visit with Billy Batkins, Technology Education teacher at Highland Springs High School and TSA Advisor, and two of his students who were winners at this years TSA Conference in Orlando Florida, Luke Coughenour, 1st place winner in the Flight category, and Declan Rhodes, 1st place winner in the Dragster Design category. Both students are attending the Specialty Center for Engineering at Highland Springs High School. Luke placed first in Flight Endurance with a model plane that weighs about as much as a pen, and Declan snagged the top honor in Dragster Design with his sleek model in this year's competition.

In this episode, we visit Agriberry Farm & CSA and talk with Juniper Runion, Membership & Engagement Coordinator at Agriberry, and Chef KC Chidester, Baking and Pastry Arts instructor at the ACE Center at Hermitage. Also, we would like to introduce our summer intern who is guest hosting in this episode, Megan Cash, who is a communications student at Radford University. Agriberry Farm & CSA shines as a beacon of local agriculture, where Juniper Runion leads with passion, engaging the community in the farm's operations and the significance of seasonal produce. Chef KC Chidester joins the conversation to emphasize the farm-to-table movement and the vital education of students in sustainable food practices. Together, they advocate for the next generation to explore the rewarding paths in agriculture and culinary arts, ensuring the future is rich with knowledgeable food artisans and caretakers of the land.

In this episode, we talk about our Summer Career Camps and Summer Building Trades and how students can experience some career exploration over the summer. We talk with Willie Cline our Electricity and Cabling instructor at the Highland Springs ACE Center, Mac Beaton, director of Workforce and Career Development, Tracy Parrish, service manager at Howell's Heating and Air, and William Parker, president of the Henrico County Vocational/Technical Education Foundation. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

What an amazing episode! Listen to our guests Bobbi Southard, Sports Medicine Instructor at the ACE Center at Hermitage, and Bruna Colladetti de Souza, ACE Center Sports Medicine student tell the exciting story of Bruna's journey at the ACE Center in our EMT and Sports Medicine programs and now, medical school! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In our latest episode, we visit with Jennie Por, Early Childhood Education II Instructor, Maya Carroll, Early Childhood student, LaRonda Mason, Family, and Consumer Science Education Specialist, and talk about The ACE Center at Highland Springs Early Childhood Education program and the lab which is a working daycare center known as Springer Preschool Academy. Of course, we also discuss Jennie's recent award, Teacher of the Year! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Todays guests were Dionne Hughes, Owner & Stylist, Image Enhancement Center – Signing Day Business Participant, Sah'Miyah Fife, Cosmetology Student, ACE Center at Highland Springs, and Cynthia Williams, Cosmetology Instructor, ACE Center at Highland Springs. We spent some time at Dionne's salon and talked about the industry and how young people can begin their training at the ACE Center at Highland Springs Cosmetology program and train to receive their state cosmetology license. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

We were recently at the Excellence in Education Celebration fundraising event for the Henrico Education Foundation and spoke with attendees about the importance of the event and why Career and Technical Education was the focus. • Jay Shively, Chief Development Officer, Henrico Education Foundation • Mac Beaton, HCPS Director of Workforce and Career Development • Sarah Atkinson, Account Executive, Teq • Zach Jacobs, Assistant Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

The Mega Career Sale event is a bustling hub of opportunity, connecting businesses eager to find the perfect candidates with job seekers excited to start their new careers. Companies from various industries were there, offering positions ranging from entry-level to management, in fields like technology, finance, healthcare, and more. Participants are buzzing with enthusiasm, sharing that they appreciate the event's dynamic atmosphere, the diversity of available jobs, and the chance to network with potential employers in person. It's a day charged with potential, as each handshake and resume exchange could lead to a life-changing career move. We were able to talk to Logan Fretwell, ColonialWebb, Sgt. Carter and Capt. Brophy, Henrico Sheriff's Office, Jim Ellis, HCPS Dept. of Pupil Transportation, T.C. - Job seeker, and Colette Christianson, with Tutor Doctor. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we speak with former Vet Science graduate, Gillian Glessman, current Vet Science student, Maddie Truban, and Vet Science instructors, Gretchen Hedges, and Karen Bickett. We talk about the many career paths available to Vet Science students including preparing for college to become a veterinarian. With the explosion of pet ownership in the country the field is in desperate need for vets and support staff across the field. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we visit the Cyber Security Tech Talk at Tucker High School. Computer Science teacher, Yvette Lee, organized the event that was attended by students from Tucker, Henrico, and Godwin High Schools and speakers from Microsoft and Capitol One. We were able to talk with the guests, Patrick Miller, Threat Protection at Microsoft, and Melanie Frank, Managing VP, at Capitol One. We also spoke with students Vanya, and Theodora who helped set up the event and they talked about the growing career opportunities in cyber security. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In our latest episode, we speak with Bobby Southard, Sports Medicine instructor at the ACE Center at Hermitage and Sports Medicine program graduate, Emma Jarvis. We talked with Emma about her career journey and how her sports medicine program affected that journey. We talked with both of them about the sports medicine program and why it is a great career to explore in high school and how it can help people prevent injuries. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

The 2024 Career Rodeo was another amazing event and we interviewed students and business representatives about the importance of the event and why career and technical education's importance continues to grow. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Ted Linhart is a legend in the car sales world of Central Virginia. He was the president of Dominion Auto Group for many years and knows everything about the industry. In this episode, we chat with Ted about how the car industry has evolved and what challenges it faces, especially when it comes to finding and training new auto techs. Virginia is ranked 11th in the nation for the demand for auto techs, so this is a crucial topic for anyone who wants to pursue this career path. Listen to Ted's insights and advice on how to become a successful auto tech in today's market. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Henrico CTE Now is excited to bring you a new season of awesome content for 2024. For this episode, we're listening back to a few of our terrific guests from 2023. Please enjoy these moments with: Taylor Brannan and Courtney Baker, Associated General Contractors of Virginia; Mary Starr with Shirley Contracting Company and Mac Beaton, HCPS Workforce & Career Development; Makhi Jackson, Line Worker with Dominion Energy; ACE Center Welding instructor Carlos Savory with students Alex and Kemar; and, Elly Coats with Sheehy Auto Stores. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

We are excited to share our latest podcast with you, where we interviewed Josh McDonough, the Operations Manager of Livewire. He tells us how his company provides high-quality technology solutions for homes and businesses, and how they plan to launch a training program that will involve some of our ACE Center students. If you are interested in working with Livewire, our business partner, don't hesitate to contact Josh and learn more about the career opportunities they offer! Livewire Office: 4900 W Clay St, Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 616-4156 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

We had the honor of meeting two awesome MCJROTC instructors, LtCol Chris Gaitens, Sgt.Maj. Scott Cauley, and cadet Captain Natalie Sherlock who told us all about their Marine Corps JROTC program. They explained how the program helps students develop leadership skills, discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. They also shared how the program prepares students for their future, whether they choose to join the military or pursue a civilian career and life. We were so impressed by their passion and dedication to their students and the Marine Corps values. We learned a lot from them, and we are so grateful for this opportunity to include them in our podcast family. Thank you, LtCol Gaitens, Sgt.Maj. Cauley, and cadet Captain Natalie Sherlock for your service and for inspiring us and your students! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Roofing is not just a job; it's a career that offers many opportunities for growth and advancement. In this episode, we talk with Scott Shufflebarger, President of Hertless Brothers Roofing and member of the Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals (VARP). We discuss how students and individuals can take advantage of the lucrative career opportunities in the roofing industry. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Welcome to this podcast episode where we explore the amazing world of welding! Today we have a special treat for you: we are joined by Mr. Carlos Savory, a welding instructor at the ACE Center at Virginia Randolph, and two of his talented students, Alex and Kamir. They will share with us their passion for welding, their experiences in learning this skill, and why welding is a great career choice for young people who want to express their creativity and make a difference in society. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we are at Mission Tomorrow where 8th grade students from Henrico County and surrounding localities visit with over 150 businesses to experience hands-on demonstrations and discuss how a student can prepare to eventually begin their world of work after high school or college. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we are at the Life Ready Episode talking with students, their families, and business representatives about why they were at the expo and why they thought it was important. Have a listen and find out about this great event. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we talk with Mary Starr, Business Development Manager, with Shirley Contracting Company, and Mac Beaton, Director, Workforce & Career Development, HCPS. Out of high school and moving on to college, Mary was working toward a career as a physical therapist. As with many people, things happen and now she is working for a successful civil contractor in Virginia. Find out about her story and why Mac is back on the show on today's podcast! You are going to love this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In this episode, we talk with Courtney Baker, Director of Workforce Training with Associated General Contractors, and Taylor Brannon, Executive Vice President of F. Richard Wilton Contractor. Our discussion covered everything from the importance of Career and Technical Education for companies that hire trade specialists, managers, supervisors, engineers, and all the support staff needed to operate all types of contracting companies. A large part of the discussion is the need for high school and college graduates for their industries and how students can prepare for their future careers by attending Career and Technical Education programs while in middle and high school. We here at Henrico CTE Now love working to bring you this podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In our latest episode we talked with several new Career and Technical Education teachers at this year's New Teacher Academy. The discussion was about the importance of CTE teachers and career switchers getting into teaching CTE classes. We here at Henrico CTE Now love working to bring you this podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

ACE Center Automotive Tech Instructor, Mark Schultz, Automotive Apprentice, Quinn McCarthy, CMA Service Manager, Corey Dahl, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Beth Lucchesi. In our latest episode, we are talking about everything automotive. We have ACE Center at Hermitage instructor, Mark Schultz, automotive apprentice with the Carter Myers Automotive (CMA), and graduate of the ACE Center Automotive Technology program, Quin McCarthy, Cory Dahl, CMA Service Manager, and Beth Lucchesi, Talent Acquisition Specialist with CMA. We talk about Quin's journey from ACE Center student to his hiring by CMA and to his working to become a master automotive technician. It is a great story of hard work and great people helping him through his young life and preparing for his career. We here at Henrico CTE Now love working to bring you this podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Recently we hosted Camp NAWIC, the National Association of Women In Construction, at our new Adult Education Center at Regency which is for girls entering 7th - 9th grades to introduce them to a potential career in the construction industry. After that, we sat down with representatives of NAWIC, Naomi Hines and Carrie Hunt, to talk about their event and how NAWIC works to encourage women to enter the construction field. We here at Henrico CTE Now love working to bring you this podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Chief Clevert, Deputy Fire Chief at Henrico County Division of Fire, and Henrico Firefighter Duan Perez-Means, Fire Recruiter are our guests on this episode. They talked with us about exploring and joining the great and noble profession of a Henrico Firefighter. This episode includes the introduction of our new co-host, Marianne McGhee. My name is Mike Roberts and I love working to bring you the Henrico CTE Now podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered.  Send us an email at ⁠mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us⁠.  Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get notified when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

First off, our podcast has been absent for a few weeks. Reshawn, my co-host and friend has moved to work in the private sector. He made this podcast what it is today. I have some big shoes to grow into and I will miss him. Good luck Reshawn! Jason Gill and Jeff Lewis talk to us about their career paths leading up to their involvement in the fire suppression and prevention industry, working with our students at our Adult Education Center, and the career fair they recently hosted with our students. My name is Mike Roberts and I love working to bring you the Henrico CTE Now podcast. I would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered.  Send us an email at mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us.  Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get a notice when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

In our latest episode Jeffery Grow, Maintenance Control Supervisor with Henrico County Schools talks to us about his varied career path that started with photography, and the importance of the real-world education that occurs in CTE programs. Reshawn and I love working to bring you the Henrico CTE Now podcast. We would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered.  Send us an email at mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us.  Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get a notice when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/henrico-cte/message

Today we talked with Connor Gentle and Sam Tignor, former ACE student in Precision Machinery, with Clark Construction, about careers in construction and the need for young people to decide to make lucrative and important careers in the construction industry. Clark Construction, website, career information. Reshawn and I love working to bring you the Henrico CTE Now podcast. We would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get a notice when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/henrico-cte/message

President of B&S Development, Anthony Forest, talks about his career path that took him from college to starting his own construction company in the middle of COVID. Reshawn and I love working to bring you the Henrico CTE Now podcast. We would love to hear from you. Send us any questions you would like answered. Send us an email at mwroberts@henrico.k12.va.us. Also, please tell your friends and family about us, and be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE so you get a notice when we post our next episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/henrico-cte/message