Building Talent Pipelines. Strengthening Communities.

Since launching in three middle schools during the 2018-2019 school year, the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program has evolved into a statewide initiative serving students across Virginia from the eastern coast to the western border.

Across the Commonwealth, employers, workforce leaders and educators have seen that GO TEC helps students discover, explore and connect with in-demand career paths in areas such as manufacturing, engineering and technology.

Drive Impact in Your Region with GO TEC

GO TEC Leads to

Economic Development Success
Stronger Workforce Pipelines
Engaged Classrooms
Greater Career Awareness

Impact on Economic Development

GO TEC was designed to help address one of the most important questions facing economic developers:

From where will future workers come?

By introducing students to in-demand industries, emerging technologies and career pathways during middle school, GO TEC helps communities demonstrate a long-term commitment to workforce development.

That impact is increasingly being recognized by employers evaluating locations for investment and expansion.

“GO TEC was a decisive factor in Microporous’ commitment to bring 2,015 jobs and $1.35 billion in capital investment to Southern Virginia.” — Brad Reed, Microporous

Tyson Foods cited Southern Virginia’s workforce development ecosystem as a factor supporting its investment in the region. GO TEC serves as an important entry point within that ecosystem, helping expose students to advanced manufacturing technologies and future career pathways years before they enter the workforce.

Employers want confidence that strong talent pipelines will exist years into the future, and GO TEC helps communities build that confidence.

“The effectiveness of the GO TEC program – and how it funnels directly into a variety of other strong, proven workforce training programs – is a primary selling point for Southern Virginia.” — Linda Green, Vice President of Economic Development, IALR; Executive Director, SVRA

Let GO TEC Boost Your Economic Development Results

Impact on Workforce Development

GO TEC was created to help students discover opportunities earlier and better understand the pathways that lead to them, thereby contributing to the growth of a region’s pool of skilled workers.

The program introduces students to skills and technologies that regional employers need today and in the future. By building awareness in middle schools, GO TEC helps strengthen the talent pipeline that supports employers across Virginia.

“We’re trying to really move the needle with workforce development, knowing that our outcomes are going to come inside a middle school classroom.” — Jacob Taylor, Interim GO TEC Director, IALR
“To introduce the young person to these critical skills really does set them on a pathway to career success.” — Telly Tucker, President, IALR
“Students are exposed to equipment that is used at the community college level and that they will see in industry.” — Jessica Dalton, Vice President of Workforce Services, Danville Community College

By helping students understand career pathways, educational opportunities and workforce needs earlier, GO TEC strengthens the workforce ecosystem that communities need to compete and grow.

Strengthen Your Region’s Talent Pipeline

Impact on Educators and Schools

“GO TEC is the best career prep exploration that any public school can offer.”

— Dr. Gwyn Stone, Career and Technical Education Director, Danville Public Schools

GO TEC creates opportunities for educators to connect classroom learning with real-world applications and future careers.

Through hands-on projects and industry-aligned learning experiences, students connect concepts taught in core academic subjects to their future career opportunities.

“They’re eager to go to class, they’re eager to learn, and they’re eager to learn about how they can build different things. They can see the application of what they’re learning in other classes. They’ll learn about angles in math class, and then in GO TEC they’ll see why it’s important to understand that concept.”— Dr. Chip Jones, Superintendent, Cumberland County Public Schools

Educators consistently point to student engagement as one of the program’s strongest outcomes.

“If we don’t reach students in sixth through eighth grade, they may not know about these opportunities until it’s too late.” — Melanie Lewis, Ph.D., Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR

“GO TEC students learn by doing.” — Keith Perrigan, Superintendent, Washington County Schools

GO TEC helps students enter high school with greater confidence, stronger career awareness and a clearer understanding of available pathways.

Help Students Explore Careers

Impact on Students

For individual students, GO TEC often provides their first meaningful exposure to modern industries, technologies and career opportunities.

Those experiences help students discover interests, build confidence and begin imagining futures they may not have previously known about or considered.

“If you’re not sure what you want to do when you grow up career-wise, GO TEC is the perfect class.” — Keith Hare, former GO TEC student, Chatham Middle School

See the GO TEC Impact

"Learning by Doing" in Middle School

The Best Middle School Career Prep

How GO TEC Labs Engage Students

Scaling Career Education Across Virginia

How GO TEC Supports Economic Transformation

Why GO TEC Is Spreading Across Virginia

Building Confidence through Career Exploration

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Helping Students Discover Local Career Pathways

A Classroom Like No Other

“GO TEC allows students to stretch their imagination and see that they don’t have to go far away to do something they’re passionate about.” — Rebecca Saunders, Hitachi Energy

Through 11 modules, students are introduced to opportunities in engineering, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, energy and other high-demand industries while developing foundational skills that can support future success.

Help Students Discover Future Opportunities

Growing Impact Across Virginia

What began in three middle schools in Danville and Pittsylvania County has expanded across Virginia because communities see firsthand the value of connecting students to future opportunities earlier. GO TEC now serves students across the Commonwealth through partnerships among schools, employers, workforce organizations and community leaders.

“There are so many different school districts that have adopted GO TEC, all the way from Hampton Roads to Southwest Virginia.” — Ben Davenport, IALR Board of Trustees
“When you look at the young people that are engaged, it’s different from any other classroom you’ll ever walk into.” — Mark Gosney, Former GO TEC Advisory Council Board Member

As GO TEC continues to expand, so does its impact on students, schools, employers and communities across Virginia.

“GO TEC is helping establish Virginia as a national leader in career and technical education.” — Telly Tucker, President, IALR

Impact Far Beyond the Classroom

“GO TEC is innovative and responsive and helps us build a better community.” — Steve Mayhew, Superintendent, Pittsylvania County Schools

GO TEC’s impact reaches far beyond a single classroom or school.

For students, it creates awareness, confidence and opportunity.

For educators, it provides meaningful connections between classroom learning and future careers.

For employers, it helps strengthen future talent pipelines.

For communities, it supports workforce readiness and economic competitiveness.

For Virginia, it demonstrates how education, workforce development and economic development can work together to create lasting results.

Discover What GO TEC Could Mean for Your Community Connect with the Team