PWCS hosts business partner breakfast to strengthen industry-education collaboration

Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) hosted its first Career and Technical Education (CTE) Business Partner Breakfast recently, bringing together more than 70 business leaders to strengthen ties between industry and education and spotlight the evolving role of CTE in student success.

The event served as a platform to showcase the impact of CTE programming on the revised Virginia Department of Education School Performance Framework and to gather feedback on the PWCS Strategic Plan 2030. Attendees engaged in discussions about high-quality work-based learning and the importance of authentic career experiences for students.

“We became business partners a couple of years ago because there is a need in the industry that we are a part of,” said Yuris Maxwell, human resources manager for USAM-DC. “Our industry is a manufacturing construction industry, and many of our skilled workers are nearing retirement. We need to pass down those traits and skills to the younger generation.”

Erick Fortiz, community engagement manager with the Children’s Science Center, emphasized the tangible benefits of the partnership. “Since becoming a partner, we’ve seen a large increase in interest from Prince William County high school students,” Fortiz said. “Three years ago, only 5% to 10% of our applicants came from the county. Now, we’re seeing 35% to 45%. These students are high-achieving and completing successful internships with us.”

CTE continues to value the support and guidance from all business partners in a collaborative effort to provide students with opportunities to engage in authentic learning experiences and hone their knowledge and skills.