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.
