Virginia (US) : In a move to bolster career and technical education programs across Virginia, Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced $600,000 in competitive grants to upgrade equipment at high schools and technical centers in 16 counties.
The grant program gives priority to challenged schools, Governor’s STEM Academies and Governor’s Health Science Academies. Each school or center will receive $37,500 to purchase new equipment and make other necessary improvements.
“The Governor’s grant program will play a critical role in the academic and professional success of our students,” Secretary of Education Dietra Trent said in a statement released on Thursday. “By providing our high schools and technical centers with the resources they need to modernize their CTE programs, we are making a wise investment in our shared future.”
McAuliffe, a Democrat, noted that the grants “will allow the Commonwealth to better provide our young people with the cutting-edge skills and in-demand training they need to fill the jobs of the 21st century workforce.”
The grant program was proposed by McAuliffe in 2016 and approved by the General Assembly. A second round of awards will be announced in early 2018, according to the governor’s office.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.