United Way of Southwest Virginia to help bring GO TEC workforce development program into region

Abingdon, VA (Aug. 11, 2022) - Building upon the success of United Way of Southwest Virginia's (UWSAVA) Ignite youth success and workforce development efforts, UWSWVA has been named the coordinating entity for the Great Opportunities for Technology & Engineering Careers (GO TEC) program in the region. The announcement was made at the August GO Virginia Region 1 executive committee meeting at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon.

GO TEC, which was pioneered in Southside Virginia, is a talent pipeline development initiative that provides students career pathways in targeted industries at the middle school level, expands to dual enrollment in high school, moves to industry credentialing and college/career training programs offered at community colleges and higher education centers, eventually leading to employment in the regional industry targets.

"Bringing GO TEC into Southwest Virginia is a huge win for the region," said Brendan McSheehy, board chair of UWSWVA. "It's a win for employers, for students, and for our communities."

GO TEC programs are up and running in Carroll, Wythe and Grayson counties. "GO TEC is a proven program," said Dr. Julie Brown, vice president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and project lead for GO TEC. "This collaborative, multi-region effort shows students clear pathways to prosperity they can follow without ever leaving the region, and it puts employers in contact with future employees who want to stay here to live, work and eventually raise their own families."

The next steps will be to work with GO TEC to develop proposals and partnerships to scale the program throughout Southwest Virginia. "UWSWVA has established talent pipeline partnerships with employers and educators through the Ignite program initiatives including Ignite Summer Internships, the Careers Expo, and Educators in Industry," said Beth Rhinehart, chair of GO VA Region 1. "We are eager to see the benefits of bringing GO TEC to Southwest Virginia."

At a time when employers are scrambling to fill open positions, every step that leads Southwest Virginia students into employment in the region is a step forward, said Melanie Protti-Lawrence, of Lawrence Brothers in Bluefield. "Our community is at the heart of our company. By bringing local students into the employment pipeline earlier, we strengthen the community and the company. This is a real win-win."

For more information on GO TEC, visit gotecva.org.