Growing Virginia’s future workforce

Across the Commonwealth of Virginia, employers need skilled talent, communities need stronger workforce pipelines and educators need meaningful ways to connect classroom learning to future opportunities.

Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®), administered by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, helps address all three of those needs.

Through hands-on, industry-aligned learning experiences, the program builds stronger talent pipelines by connecting middle school students to high-demand career pathways in the industries that drive the Commonwealth’s economy. This equips school divisions to offer career-connected learning experiences. By bringing together education, industry and workforce development, GO TEC is preparing Virginia’s next generation of talent and helping communities build a stronger workforce.

Today, GO TEC operates in 84 middle schools across 52 Virginia school divisions, helping students explore high-demand career pathways while strengthening regional workforce pipelines. Every GO TEC school division partner receives curriculum, technology, professional development and ongoing support to create meaningful, sustainable career-connected learning experiences.

Expand Career-Connected Learning in Virginia

A Proven Model to Benefit Virginia Schools

GO TEC is far more than a curriculum provider. It is a comprehensive talent development initiative that combines industry-vetted curriculum, relevant, engaging and hands-on technologies, teacher training, implementation support and employer engagement into a complete model for career-connected learning.

Participating school divisions gain access to a comprehensive system designed to support student engagement, educator success and long-term workforce development goals. The result is a turnkey solution that helps divisions deliver meaningful career exploration opportunities while creating clear connections between classroom learning and opportunities in Virginia’s most in-demand industries.

Participating divisions receive an integrated package of curriculum, training, support and industry engagement designed to maximize impact while reducing the burden on local educators and administrators.

  • Annually updated curriculum informed by industry feedback and workforce demand
  • Competency-based modules that emphasize concept mastery and skill attainment
  • Alignment with Virginia CTE standards and career pathways
  • Professional development and educator training
  • Curriculum implementation support
  • Industry engagement opportunities
  • Access to proven instructional resources and equipment recommendations

Virginia GO TEC school divisions are investing in a comprehensive framework for career-connected learning that continues to deliver value year after year.

Benefit from GO TEC

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Flexible by Design

Every school division is different in terms of instructional capacity, available space and existing class offerings. Although it is standardized, the GO TEC program still maintains the flexibility to meet that reality.

Designed for adaptability, GO TEC modules can be implemented in a variety of instructional settings and schedules, which allows divisions to adapt learning experiences to local needs and resources.

At a minimum, schools can offer the program for 45 days at 45 minutes per day or expand it into semester-long experiences. Age-specific content for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students allows divisions to create a progression of learning that builds awareness, skills and career exploration throughout middle school.

Get GO TEC In Your School

Why Middle School?

Students cannot pursue opportunities they misunderstand or do not know exist. Middle school is a critical time for career exploration, as students begin to develop interests and make decisions that can influence their future educational and career pathways.

And for this career exploration to be effective, the instruction and experiences need to be hands-on, memorable and engaging.

GO TEC connects students to high-demand industries, emerging technologies and employers within their own communities, helping them understand the opportunities available to them.

Connecting Students to Virginia’s Priority Industries

Virginia’s economic growth depends on developing future talent long before students enter the workforce.

Through 11 primary modules, GO TEC introduces students to concepts, technologies and careers connected to sectors that are critical to the Commonwealth’s future, including:

Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering  Manufacturing Engineering
Automation & Robotics Welding Precision Machining
Healthcare Technologies IT Coding & Networking  Metrology
Precision Agriculture Energy 
  

Students gain exposure to real-world applications and technologies while developing a broader understanding of the opportunities available within their communities and across Virginia. Modules focus on concept mastery and skill attainment rather than one-time exposure so students can build foundational knowledge and confidence as they explore future career pathways.

In short, GO TEC helps students understand and prepare for the opportunities available in their own backyard.

Connect Your Students to In-Demand Careers Get GO TEC In Your Schools

Supporting Community and Economic Development

Strong schools and strong workforce pipelines go hand in hand.

GO TEC contributes to a talent pipeline that helps communities compete for business investment and expansion. Companies evaluating locations want confidence that future talent will be available, and GO TEC visibly builds that foundation by connecting students to in-demand industries years before they enter the workforce.

The result is a model that benefits students, educators, employers and communities alike.

Join the Growing GO TEC Network

Virginia school divisions across urban, suburban and rural communities are using GO TEC to strengthen career-connected learning and prepare students for future success.

Build Your Region's Workforce Starting in Middle School Connect with the GO TEC Team