VCEF’s Know How Virginia initiative is one of the most far-reaching efforts to promote Career & Technical Education (CTE) in the state’s history. Through a variety of outreach efforts, this program seeks to inform parents and students alike about the diverse CTE opportunites available in Virginia’s schools, the importance of technical education in today’s workplace, and the exciting range of rewarding careers that are open to CTE students.

At the center of the Know How Virginia program is the KnowHowVirginia Web site, which guides students and parents directly to a wealth of information about almost any career imaginable. From salary expectations to education requirements, this dynamic site serves up current career data drawn from both state university and private-sector sources. Moreover, the site serves as a central point where educators around the Commonwealth can share information about CTE resources and best practices.

The Know How initiative also spotlights the Success Stories of recent Virginia high school CTE graduates. Profiles of graduates who are now working in the fields they began studying in high school— tell current students what steps to take in order to prepare for similar careers. The Success Stories seek to present role models that will inspire students to take advantage of CTE studies that can help prepare them for a wide spectrum of careers. Over 50 profiles are posted at www.knowhowvirginia.org with new ones are added each year.

The Foundation’s Know How messages also reach students through printed materials (such as posters and bookmarks) in public schools, as well as through publications, displays, job fairs and special events.