GO TEC
GO TEC - A Growing Talent Pathway Initiative
GO TEC is a talent pathway initiative that introduces middle school students to the strategic sectors of Healthcare Technologies, Automation & Robotics, IT Coding & Networking, Precision Machining, Metrology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Welding, Precision Agriculture and Energy.
Overview
The Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) program, administered by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), is designed to develop a regional workforce by engaging students primarily at the middle school level and continuing into high school. The GO TEC curriculum introduces students to various industry sectors, including Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), with the goal of creating a progressive talent pipeline that stimulates job growth throughout the Commonwealth.
The program targets five strategic industry sectors through 11 training modules, providing middle school students with an early introduction to occupations and foundational skill training. High school students gain access to technical courses, certifications, and dual-enrollment opportunities through Career Connection Labs. GO TEC is guided by its staff and instructors, along with a state advisory board, and benefits from partnerships with local industries, educational institutions, community and civic organizations, and region-specific advisory councils.
EO Companies is the In-Region Coordinating Entity (IRCE) in GO Virginia Region 1, which serves as the regional liaison and coordinator for the GOTEC program in Southwest Virginia. The program is administered by the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research (IALR) in Danville, VA. Teacher training labs, known as GO TEC Training Labs, are located at Career Commons at The Hub in GOVA Region 1, IALR in GOVA Region 3, Brooks Crossing in GOVA Region 5, and The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) in GOVA Region 4. Additionally, more than 50 Career Connection Labs are established in middle schools across GOVA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
GO TEC Career Connection Labs in Region 1:
- Bland County Public Schools - Bland County High School
- Bristol Virginia Public Schools - Virginia Middle School
- Carroll County Public Schools - Carroll County High School
- Norton City Schools - JI Burton High School
- Dickenson County Public Schools - Ridgeview Middle School
- Smyth County Public Schools - Chilhowie Middle School and Marion Middle School
- Tazewell County Public Schools - Graham Middle School
- Washington County Public Schools - EB Stanley Middle School and Wallace Middle School
- Wythe County Public Schools - Ft Chiswell Middle School, Rural Retreat Middle School, Scott Memorial Middle School
GO TEC Resources
GO TEC IT + Maintenance Dept Requirements
Download Partners
This project was funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia's economy and fosters the creation of higher-wage jobs in strategic industries.
