Roanoke County Public Schools begins construction on a new technology and career center

Roanoke, Virginia – This is the third time in the past two weeks that Roanoke County Public Schools (RCPS) has held a ceremony to celebrate the occasion of a groundbreaking.

This one was for a new career and technology (CTE) program, in contrast to the preceding two, which were designated for the rebuilding of elementary schools.

It was a source of great satisfaction and excitement for the officials to acquire the funds of $80 million for the new school. The existing vocational school, which first opened its doors in 1962, was beginning to become out of date, as stated by Ken Nicely, the superintendent of the Richmond County Public School System.

The statement that he made was that “it has really fallen behind the times in terms of having modern spaces for programs,” which included everything from auto mechanics to building trades to culinary arts. “This new center is going to really replace and enhance what they have, as well as provide them with the space that they require.”

Since before the COVID-19 pandemic became widespread, this school has been a dream come true. A theme for the ceremony, which was the vision of reality, was thoughtfully conceived upon and executed.

His words were as follows: “It really had started with what a vision for CTE education could be in Roanoke County, and today we officially get started and make it a reality.”

As an alternative to obtaining a college degree, the CTE center is available to students. By enrolling in a program as early as their freshman year of high school, students have the opportunity to obtain employment following completion of the program. Due to the fact that it is a four-year institution, if you enroll as a freshman, you will be able to find employment once you graduate from high school.

It will not only have amenities that have been renovated, but it will also function as a central site that everyone in the district may attend whenever they choose.

“All students have opportunities at their own high school that are watered down,” said Lisa Coons, who is the superintendent of public instruction for the state. Because of this, Roanoke County is able to consolidate all of its work-based learning possibilities, as well as its programming, equipment, and opportunities for work-based learning, into a single, central location.

As a result of the current state of the labor market, students who are enrolled in the CTE center have the opportunity to select from a total of twenty programs that are already offered at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology, in addition to five new programs. Dentists, HVAC technicians, collision repair technicians, radiologic technicians, and diesel mechanics are the professions in question.

In addition to being a past student at Burton, Chris Overfelt is currently employed there as a welding and motorsports instructor. He suggests enrolling since it is a self-rewarding endeavor, and we are always in need of more people to perform the positions that require hands-on experience.

He stated that if we did not have those who worked with their hands, such as masons, plumbers, and electricians, then we would all be living in caves. “We wouldn’t have the things that we have today if it weren’t for those individuals who are willing to put in the hard work and get their hands dirty.”

The completion of the CTE center is anticipated to take place during the winter of 2026.