“I loved my time as a student at AET because of the hands-on learning that the program provides. Students are treated with respect and the staff is extremely attentive and helpful. This program provided a work-life balance that allowed me to continue an extensive list of extracurriculars and receive college credit. I have made many amazing friends and professional connections that have helped me prepare for my future career through internships. AET is a wonderful program that benefits all students who enroll.”
- Grace Stowe / 2025 AET Graduate
"Our goal isn't just to produce engineers but to equip students with transferable skills that benefit them in any career. When our students find the right pathway for them, that’s success."
- John Hatchett / AET Instructor
"One of the biggest skills I took away from AET was learning how to ask questions and collaborate effectively. These skills placed me ahead of my peers in university and beyond."
- Shelita Hall / NASA Engineering Trainee, 2016 AET Graduate
"AET showed me the real-world applications of math and science, changing how I viewed engineering. It's been instrumental in my decision to pursue engineering as a career."
- Caleb Pearson / 2024 AET Graduate
Businesses see the GO TEC classes and recognize the program’s value to inspire middle students as a source for their future workforce. 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
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
They especially love the 3D printing, laser cutting and robotics, but you’ll get a few ‘aha’ moments with pretty much every module. I have the best job in education.
- Christy Shelton / GO TEC Career Connections Teacher, Gretna Middle School
There’s a lag time for education to respond to emerging technologies and industries. The GO TEC program focuses on shortening the lag time by introducing middle schoolers to these growing career opportunities and innovative technologies that are already taking root. This is an economic development initiative as much as it is a workforce development opportunity, and GO TEC helps set Virginia apart as a work-ready state with highly-skilled talent.
- Dr Julie Brown / Vice President of Advanced Learning, IALR
EO partners with IALR on the GO TEC program to strengthen Southwest Virginia’s workforce pipeline, drive innovation, and contribute to a thriving local economy. We are thrilled that the GO TEC curriculum is spreading across Southwest Virginia, introducing our students to careers they can be excited about.
- Travis Staton / President & CEO, EO
Introducing students to STEM careers early through hands-on experiences helps spark genuine curiosity and excitement. Students begin connecting classroom activities directly to future career possibilities, which motivates deeper engagement and more informed choices.
- Angela Brown / GO TEC Director, IALR
This class gives you a lot of opportunities to learn new things. It changes your perspective on different careers.
- Brayla Pickeral / 8th grader at Chatham Middle School.
If you’re not sure what you want to do when you grow up career-wise, this is the perfect class. It goes over a bunch of careers, and it’s great.
- Keith Hare / 8th grader at Chatham Middle School
Across the state, we embed in middle schools this innovative experience that gets students excited, engaged, exposed to and connected with meaningful, hands-on curriculum in a variety of career pathways.
- Jake Taylor / GO TEC Technical and Training Manager, IALR
This experience allowed me to make a real-world impact in my community and provided a basis for the problem-solving process I will have to go through as an engineer in my future career.
- Cora Wilson / Academy for Engineering and Technology, Graduate
We got to solve a real-world business problem, and it felt cool because we were doing something that meant something in school. And we found the root of the problem like we were supposed to. We contributed a lot of new knowledge and ideas.
- Gavin Shields / Academy for Engineering and Technology
When they made their presentation, my biggest regret was that I didn’t bring my management team with me. It was a great professional presentation with some strong data.
- Alan Pearce / FasTech LLC
They did a good job thinking outside of the box. That’s what impressed me the most, was the fresh eyes and fresh perspective from which they looked at the problem. I would do this program again in a heartbeat.
- Adam Goebel / Danville Science Center
“I want to be able to go to the next level and provide more care, and I wouldn’t have been able to get my paramedic without this program.”
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- Andy Pendleton / Fire Marshal and Paramedic Apprentice, Franklin County
“This paid on-the-job training is a great way for me to absorb this information and get more hands-on instruction. I’m glad to be able to come in all day and focus on this, get a better experience and more ride time. All while getting a paycheck.”
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- Lily Hensley / EMT Apprentice with the Danville Life Saving Crew
We have two interns, and we would absolutely hire them. They have been fantastic overall—polite, motivated and hard workers.
- Robin Marcato / Danville Historical Society
Overall, this internship has been a great experience for the Chamber and for our intern. We look forward to hosting interns again in the future.
- Crystal Hairston / Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
The EmPOWER framework has been instrumental in connecting Sovah Health with our local students to showcase the breadth of healthcare career opportunities available right here in our community.
- Corey Santoriello / Sovah Health
Being able to participate in the Career ChoICE, AspHIRE Mock Interview Day, and Summer Internships through the IALR has been an invaluable addition to the work of PATHS and the South Central AHEC. These programs keep us coming back, as they have allowed us to connect with, inspire, and support students throughout Southern Virginia as they explore their journey in healthcare.
- Anjanette Farmer / PATHS
This EMT apprenticeship program will benefit the participants by providing mandatory training for an EMT position. Adding a cohort of new EMTs like this enables the Danville Life Saving Crew to grow its team and provide qualified emergency medical personnel for our community. Working with Tori and the Institute has been easy and successful, and we are very pleased that our program is the first registered EMT apprenticeship program in Virginia.
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- Johnny Mills / Danville Life Saving Crew
We believe that apprenticeship programs like this are essential to our future success. We understand that by investing in the next generation of talent, we are not only shaping our own success but fostering a culture of learning and development. Our apprenticeship programs are not just a part of our company; they are a living embodiment of our Core Values.
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From left to right: Natori Neal, IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator; Kara Joyce, DOLI Apprenticeship Consultant; Neville Moe, Litehouse Foods Plant Manager; Joseph Echols, Litehouse Apprentice; Craig Mauldin, Maintenance Engineering Manager; Michelle Shorter, Human Resources Generalist II.[/caption]
- Neville Moe / Litehouse Foods
I can’t speak highly enough of all the help we have received from IALR in getting our apprenticeship program started. It’s been wonderful. When you as an employer invest back into your workforce, you see huge returns.
- Justin Hylton / Southside Mechanical Services
“Something that was beneficial for me was learning to ask questions at the end of my interview.”
- Chasity Robertson / Nottoway County
"The trip to Asphire was both informative and fun. It helped me widen my horizon about the working field and opened my eyes to new possibilities."
- King Catubig / Lunenburg County
The AspHIRE mock interview day provides valuable experience to high school students across Southern Virginia, exposing them to important workplace skills and allowing them to experience an authentic interview process.
- Jessie Vernon / IALR
IALR is the type of education facility that can transform a region.
- Barry DuVal / Virginia Chamber
Pittsylvania County Public Schools greatly appreciates the partnership established with the Advanced Learning Department of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. This department provides many STEM opportunities for teachers and students to extend learning and explore new areas.