School Board Recognitions

August 16, 2005

Student, Employee, and Public Awards and Recognitions

2005 Virginia Career and Technical Education Creating Excellence State Partnership Award

The School Board is pleased to recognize staff from the Technical Career and Education Center and Stihl Incorporated for receiving the 2005 Virginia Career and Technical Education Creating Excellence State Partnership Award from the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education.

This outstanding partnership began in 2000 with dialogue began between Stihl Incorporated and Virginia Beach City Public Schools regarding the need for properly-trained, industry-certified outdoor power equipment service and repair technicians. In 2002, after a major facilities renovation, intense curriculum development, and teacher selection and training, the first group of students began receiving instruction at the Technical and Career Education Center in outdoor power equipment (OPE) mechanics. This three-credit, two-year course was designed to introduce students to small engines basics and the knowledge and skills in the service and repair of outdoor power equipment concepts. One major goal of the partnership between the Tech Center and Stihl Incorporated was to first accredit the program and then train students to become power equipment certified by passing the Equipment and Engine Training Council’s (EETC) third-party examination. Students who pass EETC examinations are eligible for student selected verified credit. This course is the result of the collaborative efforts of staff at the Tech Center and Stihl Incorporated and it helps to fill the critical need for properly-trained, industry-certified students who are in great demand by businesses today.

Staff at Stihl Incorporated have provided hours of guidance and numerous recommendations that have enabled the OPE program to become EETC accredited. In addition to numerous employee hours that the company donates to the program, they have been generous in the contribution of training materials as well. To date, Stihl Incorporated has donated 10 chain saws, 10 trimmers, 10 back pack blowers, 2 sets of service specialty tools, computer software, videos, cut-away engines, safety glasses, and student lab coats. As a result, this workforce development partnership has provided a direct benefit to the 32 students currently enrolled in the OPE program and has assisted in training students in a high-skill/high-wage career path that will help fill a dire industry shortage.

Accepting the commendation of distinction for this state, award-winning partnership is John Keeler, of Stihl Incorporated, Ben Thomas, Teacher at the Tech Center, and David Swanger, Director of the Technical and Career Education Center. Please join me in congratulating them for this outstanding partnership!

Mr. Chairman, that concludes our scheduled recognitions for this evening.