United Way of Southwest Virginia to Aid in Expansion of GO TEC Program Across Region

Abingdon, VA (February 27, 2023) - The United Way of Southwest Virginia will facilitate the expansion of the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC™) framework into additional schools and school divisions across our region. As a result of a recent grant award from GO Virginia, the United Way will serve as the In-Region Coordinating Entity (IRCE) for GO TEC in GO Virginia Region 1. The United Way will work with Danville’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) staff to build the infrastructure and administrative capacity to expand this proven model across Southwest Virginia.

“United Way of Southwest Virginia is excited for what this funding means for our region's workforce,” said Travis Staton, President and CEO of the United Way of Southwest Virginia. “Technology and engineering tend to produce high-paying jobs, something our area needs. GO TEC is known for creating pipelines of skilled workers to empower these industries and the United Way of Southwest Virginia is known for researching, building, and scaling programs. This is a powerful collaboration that can help our region gain a competitive edge.”

GO TEC delivers workforce training and talent development through a collaborative, hub-and-spoke model that involves K-12 school systems, higher education, economic development professionals, and industry. Starting in middle school Career Connections labs and continuing through high school, dual enrollment, and post-secondary programs, GO TEC engages students in hands-on learning in high-demand career pathways such as precision machining, welding, IT and cybersecurity, robotics and automation, mechatronics, and advanced materials.

IALR and GO Virginia Region 3 will utilize $3.4 million in recently announced GO Virginia funds to scale the GO TEC framework by establishing In-Region Coordinating Entities (IRCEs) and IALR GO TEC staff in four Virginia regions, including Southwest Virginia. As a result of this increased administrative support from the United Way and dedicated GO TEC staff, the GO TEC program will continue and expand into middle schools in the GO Virginia Region 1 area.

During the three-year grant period, GO TEC will be executed by IALR and the United Way of Southwest Virginia, with efforts informed and endorsed by a 16-member multi-region Board of Directors. As the IRCE for GO TEC in Southwest Virginia, the United Way of Southwest Virginia will establish a 21-member GO TEC Advisory Board and partner with IALR to drive GO TEC expansion – supporting teachers, validating talent pathway opportunities, and quantifying Virginia’s return on investment in the form of job creation, job placement, and private sector investment.

“Having United Way of Southwest Virginia as the GO TEC coordinating entity will continue to open doors for students and organizations in our region,” said Kalen Hunter, Director of GO Virginia Region 1. “We are thrilled to continue expanding the GO TEC program in Region 1, and we look forward to strengthening the talent pipeline for existing businesses and for those looking to locate to the region. United Way’s leadership will be key in moving this initiative forward.”

Created as a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County in 2018, the GO TEC program is in 25 middle schools across the Commonwealth as of spring 2023. By 2025, IALR staff anticipate that number will grow to 50 as a result of this grant.

“The GO TEC framework has been incredibly successful, both as a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County and as we have partnered with other localities across Virginia,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President of Advanced Learning at IALR. “With this additional funding from GO Virginia, we will be able to support the current and anticipated expansion into dozens of K12 schools across multiple regions of the Commonwealth. I’m excited to see how GO TEC makes a positive, direct impact on the students, educational systems, economic development efforts, and overall success of these regions, just like it has in Southern Virginia.”

"GO TEC Virginia 2025 demonstrates that like-minded leaders from education, business, non-profit organizations, and government can work together to create for our students a clear pathway to high-paying jobs in their hometowns,” said Tim Clark, Chair of GO Virginia Region 3 Council. "GO Virginia Region 3 is pleased to have supported the growth of a partnership between IALR staff and Southern Virginia's school divisions and community colleges to make GO TEC a success for our students and businesses – a partnership that will now be expanded to benefit other regions in Virginia."

GO Virginia, the Commonwealth’s initiative for growth and opportunity in each region is an economic development initiative through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development that supports programs to create more high-paying jobs through incentivized collaboration between business, education, and government. This expansion of GO TEC results from $3,474,821 in GO Virginia grant funding, which was part of more than $5 million in GO Virginia grants announced by Governor Youngkin in December 2022. The state funds are matched with $2,4426,079 in local and federal funds from the partner organizations.

Located in Danville, the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services, and economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ialr.org.

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United Way of Southwest Virginia fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in Southwest Virginia because they are the building blocks for a good quality of life. Through an initiative-based cradle-to-career approach, United Way of Southwest Virginia is creating sustainable solutions to address the challenges facing tomorrow’s workforce. United Way convenes cross-sector partners to make an impact on the most complex problems in our region. Through collaboration with government, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals, United Way innovates for positive, lasting social change. With a footprint that covers nearly 20% of the state of Virginia, United Way of Southwest Virginia programs and initiatives serve the counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe, and the cities of Bristol, Galax, Norton, and Radford.