RICHMOND — Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons announced on Thursday the awarding of $3 million in competitive state grants to 24 school divisions for career and technical education skilled trades programs, including MCPS.
Each school division will receive $125,000 to establish, expand or restore skilled trades programs in middle or high schools. The one-time grants will support programs offering industry-recognized certifications or credentials that are in demand by regional employers and that lead to employment opportunities. Montgomery County’s grant will be used to purchase welding equipment and provide teacher training for the Governor’s STEM Academy.
“In Virginia and across the nation there are high-paying jobs in the skilled trades that go unfilled due to a shortage of qualified applicants,” Coons said. “I want to thank the General Assembly for recognizing the need to prepare more young people for these career opportunities and providing the funding for these grants.”
The 2022 General Assembly appropriated the $3 million to provide grants to school divisions to expand skilled trades programs that lead to students earning industry-recognized certifications or credentials.
Submitted by the Virginia Department of Education