The Virginia Career Education is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. Board members represent perspectives from industry, education, and legislation, and share a common commitment to furthering career and technical education in Virginia’s Schools.

In Virginia, as in the rest of the country, there exists a need for well-trained, certified technical workers. While the number of technical job opportunities continues to grow, the number of students preparing themselves for rewarding careers in the technical sector has not kept pace.

Our Vision:

VCEF is the primary contributor in creating awareness and generating interest in high-skill, high-wage careers that build a competitive workforce.

Our Mission:

To create public-private partnerships that financially support and promote technical education and careers in Virginia.

Strategies:

• IMPROVE financial strength and self-sufficiency: Goal – Increase VCEF’s funding (contributions/fees/grants) by 150% by end of FY 2010
• INCREASE business and industry participation: Goal – Grow the number of business participants by 100 for each of the next two years
• ENHANCE web based information, ensure its ease of use, and develop programs which will promote its use by members of our target market: Goal – Increase the usage of web site by 200% for each year through by FY 2010
• PARTNER with the Virginia Community College System’s Career Coach Program to help educate students concerning career education opportunities, the VCEF, and spread knowledge of the VCEF and its Web content. Goal – Have 50% of Career Coaches statewide on board by 2009 and 80% by 2010

In carrying out its mission, the Foundation will continue to identify, initiate, and provide support for programs that clearly accomplish the following underlying goals of the Foundation.

• Raise the level of awareness among teachers, counselors, parents, students and the general public regarding the vast and growing number of rewarding career opportunities.
• Promote career and technical employment as viable and successful options for today’s youth.
• Increase and promote greater collaboration and stronger relationships between career and technical programs and the industries which ultimately benefit from such programs.
• Promote quality career and technical programs that provide students with the academic and technical training they need to succeed in this fast-growing sector.
• Provide educational and professional development opportunities and extend real support for career and technical teachers.
• Identify, recognize, and help to replicate successful “best practice” public/private partnerships that accomplish any of the above goals.

About the Foundation’s president

Emily Hayden Richardson holds a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Supervision and Administration of Education from Old Dominion University, a Master of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from Hampton University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education from Radford University.

Her background includes 37 years in public education in Virginia: 25 years as a Career and Technical Education teacher in York County, VA and as the division CTE administrator for six years in York County and six years in Suffolk.

Workforce-related experiences during that period include work with Chambers of Commerce, Business and Industry Advisory Councils, cooperative education, Tech Prep, and helping develop a business mentorship program and a compact agreement for parents, students, and employers.

Emily maintains active membership in CTE professional organizations at the state and national levels including the Association for Career and Technical Education, Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education, and Virginia Association for Career and Technical Education Administrators. She is an honorary member of the Virginia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and was honored as the FCCLA 2004 National School Administrator. In 2012 she received an honorary State Degree from The Virginia FFA.

She assumed duties as president of the Virginia Career Education Foundation August 2, 2004. Emily and her husband Tom live in Williamsburg with one Beagle.

 

Statements from VCEF Board Members

“The Virginia Career and Education Foundation is a catalyst for promoting career and technical education, 21st Century skills, and forging the partnerships with business and industry necessary to bridge the gap between learning and application. By bringing all stakeholders to the table, the Virginia Career and Education Foundation provides leadership in the Commonwealth of Virginia by emphasizing the need for a skilled and certified technical workforce.”

Dr. Thomas M. Brewster, Vice Chairman
Deputy Superintendent, Pulaski County Public Schools

“In working with youth groups I have seen, and continue to see so many young people with raw potential, but never the desire to develop such potential. My joining the VCEF is an effort to do my part to give our young people another avenue to discover things that interest them in life and thereby giving them the desire to maximize their potential to become productive citizens.”

Calvin W. Yarbrough, Treasurer
Hospital Negotiations, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

“At Northrop Grumman Newport News we have had an apprentice school for the past three quarters of a century. This school provides us with skilled trades as well as the nucleus of our waterfront management. This blending of education with practical work experience is one of the key discriminators in our business. My goal for the VCEF is that it can stimulate this type of program and subsequent success in other industries and locales in VA”

Tom Schievelbein
President (retired), Northrop Grumman Newport News Sector

Board of Directors 2012-2013

• Chair
  Dr. Thomas Brewster
  Superintendent, Pulaski County Public Schools
• Secretary
  Susan Krzastek
  Vice President for Human Resources, Augusta Health Care – Fishersville, VA
• John Cates
  Richmond, VA
• Beverley Dalton
  Owner, English Construction – Altavista, VA
• Mark Dreyfus
  President, ECPI College of Technology – Virginia Beach, VA
• The Honorable Matthew James
  Delegate, Portsmouth, VA
  President and CEO, Peninsula Workforce Development
• Bryce Jewett
  President, Jewett Machine Manufacturing Co., Inc. – Richmond, VA
• Dr. Bernard Levin
  Department Head/Psychology, Blue Ridge Community College – Weyers Cave, VA
• The Honorable Kenneth Plum
  Delegate, McLean VA
• Chad Ratliff
  Asst. Director of Instruction & Vertical Team Facilitator for Career & Technical Education
  Albemarle County Public Schools
• Dr. N. Wayne Tripp
  Clinical Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
  Virginia Tech – Blacksburg, VA
• Jack Ward
  Sr. VP for Development Family Care Pharmacists
  Richmond, VA

Ex-Officio Members:

• Peter Blake, Executive Director, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
• Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor, Virginia Community College System
• Dr. Patricia Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Virginia Department of Education
• Courtney Malveaux, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
• John R. Broadway, Commissioner, Virginia Employment Commission