Virginia Report Reveals Major Gaps in Access to Career and Technical Education Courses, Credentials

Virginia’s career and technical education review found regional disparities in access to courses and credentials, according to a state report released Oct. 1. State agencies recommend expanding credentials in underserved areas, prioritizing high-demand fields, strengthening employer partnerships, and improving data transparency to better align student training with workforce needs.

During the last legislative session, the General Assembly authorized the Virginia Board of Education and the Board of Workforce Development to complete a statewide review of all CTE courses, pathways, and industry-recognized credentials offered in Virginia’s public schools.

The work comes as the state seeks to align K-12 educational programming with current and emerging workforce needs.

State lawmakers authorized the Virginia Board of Education and the Board of Workforce Development to complete a statewide review of all CTE courses, pathways, and industry-recognized credentials offered in Virginia’s public schools earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Creative Commons via Pixabay)

The Virginia Department of Education acknowledged in the report that the commonwealth’s 10 most frequently earned CTE credentials do not consistently meet expectations for industry recognition and alignment.

In response, the department said it is developing definitions and criteria for industry-recognized credentials to guide the evaluation of existing and future credential offerings.

“The Virginia Department of Education is committed to strengthening this alignment, and we are actively engaged in the development of definitions and criteria for industry-recognized credentials that will guide the evaluation of both existing and future credential offerings,” the agency stated.

“School divisions will continue to have the flexibility to identify and offer any CTE course, pathway, or credential approved by the Virginia Board of Education, ensuring responsiveness to local workforce needs as we work toward a more rigorous and industry-aligned credential landscape.”

Virginia public schools offer 520 unique CTE courses, with 367 being industry-recognized credentials and 82 career pathways, according to data collected from 2024-2025.

Other findings showed that the strongest career clusters are agriculture, business management, health sciences, human services, and information technology.

However, the review found that course and credential availability varies considerably across regions, despite relatively consistent pathway access. It also found unequal credential access, with Region 2, or the Tidewater area, leading at 214 compared with Region 8, or Southside, at 54.

Stakeholder input identified cybersecurity, advanced health sciences, and specialized skilled trades as opportunities for program expansion.

As schools and colleagues move forward with supporting CTE, Del. Terry Austin, R-Botetourt, emphasized the importance of tailoring programs to each region’s specific workforce needs.

“We need to look at what that region needs, and we should tailor our academics to that more so than just offer everything,” Austin said in an Oct. 26 interview, echoing his call for a more focused approach to CTE offerings.

For example, an area with heavy industry might prioritize welding, while an IT-focused region might emphasize technology; cosmetology and horticulture should also reflect local demand.

The boards recommended expanded credential access, prioritizing workforce alignment, strengthening regional collaboration, and improving data transparency.

The boards also suggested stronger credential and pathway standards and improved tracking of long-term student outcomes.

Virginia allocated $20 million to expand CTE development programs across the Virginia Community College System. The funding will support additional capacity for 900 students in health-related programs, including nursing and medical assisting, and 1,000 students in workforce programs, including welding and HVAC.

Prince William County Public Schools offers a four-year aviation maintenance technology transfer program. (Photo courtesy of Prince William County Public Schools)

Legislative solutions

State lawmakers have proposed bills to make workforce training more directly integrated into the education system.

Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, is carrying House Bill 1023 that would bring industry professionals into classrooms.

In another proposal, HB 1383, being proposed by Del. Delores Oates, R-Warren, would make community college coursework more accessible to technical professionals seeking teaching licenses.

On credential quality and workforce alignment, Senate Bill 733, proposed by Sen. Danny Diggs, R-York, would establish standards for workforce training programs outside traditional degree pathways.

Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico, is carrying HB 428, which would give students additional ways to demonstrate workforce readiness.

Lawmakers will convene in Richmond starting on Jan. 13 to discuss CTE legislation and other issues.

By Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

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