CATEC October 2024 Newsletter

There are lots of ways to know what is happening at CATEC. Keep in touch with us to know what our students are doing and all the ways we are working to improve our local workforce.

• Call us (434) 245-2419
• Visit us www.catec.org
• Download our app CATEC, VA
• Follow us at @CATECHighSchool (Facebook), CATEC High School (YouTube), @CATEChs (Twitter), @catechighschool (Instagram), @catechighschool (TikTok)

I hope everyone is enjoying the refreshing fall weather! We have wrapped up our first quarter!

One of the most unique and exciting aspects of CATEC is our strong connection to the business community. In our discussions with our business partners, we consistently hear the feedback that they are seeking employees with strong workplace readiness skills. To prepare our students, we embrace one central expectation, CATEC Students are Professional. Our goal is to prepare our students for life whether it is career, college, or the military, and these skills will support them to their goals, but help them soar.

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I would like to say I am very thankful for our students, families, and our staff. CATEC is a wonderful place full of opportunity, not because of what it is, but who we serve.

Sincerely,

Dr. Stacey Heltz

• November 4-5: No School
• November 27-29: No School

The CATEC, VA app provides up-to-date information on all things CATEC. Find out about events, closures, and important documents by downloading the app and setting up push notifications.

Did you know that CATEC has its own PowerSchool?

You can view your student's current grades and attendance by following this link: CATEC PowerSchool. The PowerSchool Portal is also available on the high school page of the CATEC website.

Families will need to contact CATEC's front office at (434) 245-2419 to obtain login information for accessing their student's account.

Students have received their login details in their trade class and should check their accounts regularly to stay updated on their grades throughout the school year.

School Counseling:

Mrs. Butler is our School Counselor, and her office is located in the Career and Counseling Corner. She is available to meet with students and families regarding class schedules, dual-enrollment questions, and helps provide support as needed. You can reach her at 434-245-2419 or butlera1@charlottesvilleschools.org.

Workplace Readiness:

CATEC values ensuring our students leave with technical trade skills as well as workplace skills that make students prepared to get and keep jobs. Throughout the year, CATEC staff tackles workplace readiness expectations. This month, students focused on WRS #3 Initiative and Self-Direction, #4 Integrity, #10 Teamwork, #14 Efficiency and Productivity.

• Carpentry 1/Electricity 1
• Charlottesville High School
• 11th grade
• Choosing to enter the workforce upon graduation rather than attending post-secondary school and wants to gain skills for a career, particularly as an electrician
• Has family in the construction industry
• Built her family a console table in the first quarter of Carpentry
• Currently works after school and on weekends at an escape room

• EMT
• Albemarle High School
• 11th grade
• Loves science and wants to work in the medical field, starting off as an EMT
• Enjoyed dissecting lungs and hearts in the first quarter, as well as practicing using the stretcher
• Loves playing badminton and is part of the Badminton Club at AHS

Program Overviews

High-Demand Careers

All October CATEC celebrated Careers in Construction Month, a month-long recognition of craft professionals and career opportunities in the construction industry. Sponsored by National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and Build Your Future (BYF), the annual event brings together organizations from around the country to work together to raise awareness of the great career opportunities in the construction industry.

Skilled craftspeople are in demand nationwide. 70% of jobs do not require bachelor’s degrees and with nearly 1.5 million craft professionals needed by 2023, it has been more important than ever to get high school students interested in the construction industry. Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia estimates that the workforce demanded 177,748 workers in Virginia in 2021. The projected job growth in Virginia in the construction industry is up 21%.

CATEC Carpentry and Electricity

CATEC’s Carpentry program prepares students to erect, install, maintain, and repair buildings and other structures. With an emphasis on safety, students are taught to use hand and power tools, cut stock, apply construction mathematics, interpret blueprints, and understand basic rigging.

CATEC’s Electricity program provides students with skills to install, operate, maintain, and repair residential, commercial, and industrial electrical systems. Students study electrical theory and navigate the National Electrical Code Book.

Community Partnerships

Local businesses seek out students to intern and hire for their companies. The construction industry is robust in the Charlottesville area and CATEC students are in high demand. Each May, Carpentry and Electrical students participate in CATEC’s School-to-Work Signing Day, an event that celebrates students who commit to entering the workforce with local companies.

Mr. Morris is a carpenter with over 20 years of experience in commercial and residential construction, specifically in building, demolition, flooring, electrical, plumbing and drywall. His previous employment includes University of Virginia Facilities Management, Intrastate Service Co., Martin and Horn and D&M Construction. Darrell has been married for 15 years and has a daughter. He enjoys outdoor activities with his family and taking their boat to the lake.

Mr. Farrer grew up in Charlottesville, graduating from Charlottesville High School. He attended CATEC as an Electricity I and II student. He was motivated to study electricity because he had family members who worked in the industry. Mr. Farrer credits his CATEC instructor for being a big influence on his career choices. As an employee of UVA, he returned to CATEC as an adult Apprenticeship student. He worked for UVA Facilities Management for more than 20 years. Today, he teaches for both the High School and Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs.

Email: heltzs1@charlottesvilleschools.org
Website: www.catec.org
Location: 1000 Rio Road East, Charlottesville, VA, USA
Phone: 434-245-2419

Facebook: facebook.com/CATECHighSchool
Twitter: @CATEChs