MCLEAN, Va. (PRWEB)
May 25, 2023
Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the trade association for the local tech community, has partnered with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) to launch Aim High. This workforce initiative provides hundreds of high school students with real-world tech job experience, training, mentorship, and internships, preparing them for future careers. Aim High connects students with local companies in the region, increasing their exposure to career opportunities.
The JPMorgan Chase Foundation has provided funding to support the initiative, which launched on May 25, 2023, at an event held at Capital One headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Jennifer Taylor, President and CEO of NVTC; Dr. Anne Kress, President of NOVA; Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of FCPS; and Jeff McKay, Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, presented Aim High’s vision at the event. Teachers, students, and executives from participating companies also shared their firsthand experiences and positive results from the industry and academic collaboration.
According to Jennifer Taylor, the Northern Virginia region currently has over 133,000 open jobs, with 80% of the new jobs posted in April alone being related to tech jobs. As the demand for skilled workers increases, Jennifer explains that NVTC’s member companies are committed to helping the next generation of professionals gain exposure to the opportunities available in the region’s fast-growing tech hub. With Aim High, students from all backgrounds will have a chance to experience the potential for careers in the tech sector.
In the 2023-2024 academic year, upwards of 500 FCPS high school students will be matched with Aim High Champions from participating companies. Aim High Champions will be paired with students in educational sessions that include career exploration activities, panel discussions and fireside chats, hands-on workshops, tours of facilities and makerspaces, and more. Thus far, 18 companies and one federal agency have committed to the initiative.
Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent of FCPS, explains that “the sooner our students have opportunities for work-based learning and industry experiences, the more excited they are about developing their passions and skills. This benefits all of Fairfax County.” Similarly, Anne M. Kress, President of NOVA, comments that “we work directly with employers to match our programs with their needs. This unique partnership with FCPS and NVTC will encourage our region’s high school students to begin thinking about their career goals early so they can seamlessly move from high school, through NOVA, and into high-demand jobs in the regional workforce.”
The initiative’s inaugural Aim High Champions, which include Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, Microsoft, and 15 other companies and one federal agency, will participate in educational activities with FCPS students. Lindsey Kearney, who can be contacted at lkearney@nvtc.org, is the contact person for Aim High.
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Contact
Tarin Horan
Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC)
thoran@nvtc.org
703-946-0319
About the Northern Virginia Technology Council
Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the trade association that represents the Northern Virginia technology community. The organization serves companies from all sectors of the industry, including small businesses, startups, Fortune 100 technology firms, government contractors, service providers, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. NVTC boasts more than 460 members who rely on the organization for a resource on networking and educational opportunities, peer-to-peer communities, policy advocacy, brand promotion, fostering strategic relationships, and branding the region as a top global technology hub. For more information, visit http://www.nvtc.org.
About the Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is the city’s largest public institution of higher learning as well as one of America’s largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls nearly 80,000 students at six campuses, including Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge. NOVA offers over 100 associate degrees and certificate programs, helping students achieve their academic and professional objectives with the possibility of university transfers and accessing high-demand career paths. NOVA aims to foster student success, program achievement, and community prosperity. For more information about NOVA, visit http://www.nvcc.edu.
About Fairfax County Public Schools
Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) comprises one of the largest school divisions in America, with 198 schools and centers. The school serves a diverse student population of over 181,000 students, with speakers of over 200 languages and comprising more than 27% of the total student population. Over 94.6% of FCPS students graduate on time, while 14.4% of them have disabilities, and over 20% of students are English learners. More than 92% of FCPS students plan to pursue post-secondary education.
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