Background
Greene County Public Schools in Central Virginia faced an increasing demand from local industry for skilled employees in the field of manufacturing. Greene County is situated in Central Virginia, surrounded by Charlottesville, Culpepper County and Orange County. Sitting in the bullseye within a 30+ mile radius of several manufacturing companies, including behemoths like Merck, it became evident that Greene County needed a robust Manufacturing Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway to align with the local workforce’s needs.
We worked closely with Jess Peregoy, CTE Director and Principal of Greene County Technical Education Center, to design and launch a Manufacturing CTE Career Pathway from the ground up.
The solution came in the form of the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing program from Amatrol – a comprehensive package blending theoretical eLearning with hands-on, real-world equipment to teach students the practical skills needed in modern industry.
Program Overview
The IGNITE program offers a modular, 6-course Advanced Manufacturing pathway, including a mix of eLearning, interactive simulations, and hands-on workstations with Industry 4.0 technologies. Greene County chose to implement a 3-year program, allowing students to progress through foundational topics such as safety, measurement, hand tools, print reading, and materials science. From there, they delve into more advanced skills in areas like AC/DC electricity, fluid power, machine tools, CNC operation, welding, lean manufacturing, and more.
Turnkey Approach for a Seamless Launch
The biggest advantage for Greene County was IGNITE’s turnkey solution. “As a CTE director, you are asked to be an expert in all kinds of different pathways and it’s difficult to know what exactly we need for each pathway,’ says Peregoy. “Having everything packaged through the IGNITE course and equipment from Amtek made the ability to start the program so much more feasible for us.” The ready-made curriculum also allowed instructors to get creative and tailor lessons while ensuring core competencies were met from day one.
"As a CTE director, you are asked to be an expert in all kinds of different pathways and it’s difficult to know what exactly we need for each pathway. Having everything packaged... from Amtek made the ability to start the program so much more feasible for us."
The state-of-the-art hands-on equipment was especially important, with workstations equipped with technologies such as smart sensors, robotics, and additive manufacturing. This combination of technology and curriculum ensured students were well-prepared to meet the demands of local manufacturing industries.
Partnering with Local Industry
A key aspect of the program was its alignment with industry-recognized certifications, such as those from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). These certifications were specifically sought after by local employers like Merck, creating a direct pipeline for students into the local workforce.
The strong relationship with Merck has led to regular field trips to the company’s manufacturing facility, providing students with an inside look at modern manufacturing operations and further solidifying the connection between the program and local industry needs.
Challenges: Branding and Student Recruitment
One challenge faced during implementation was branding the new program to appeal to students. Although there was considerable interest in engineering, the concept of “manufacturing” seemed abstract. Greene County addressed this by branding the program as a Manufacturing/Engineering pathway and engaging students through newsletters, program tours, and student-run broadcasts.
“We couldn’t assume that our students know what manufacturing – and even what engineering – fully entails,” says Peregoy. “We worked to provide that positive branding, specifically targeting students who would be interested and successful in the program.”
Specific focus was placed creating an inclusive, collaborative environment. Instead of focusing solely on highly academic students or solely focusing on trades-focused students, Greene County sought to include both traditionally polarized groups of students in a single space. Whether a student is college bound or plans to go straight to work after graduation, they all learn the same skills in an open, collaborative space.
A few years into the program, Greene County extended its internal branding beyond high school to also reach middle schools. The same teacher who commands the classroom at the high school began teaching in the middle school Manufacturing Career Pathway, which helped to grow the pipeline of students entering the program. Now this program has its own dedicated instructor.
However, marketing the program to parents has been a breeze since day one. Once parents were educated on the overall benefits of the program through Parent Information Nights and external newsletters, it was easy to demonstrate the benefits of such an immersive, hands-on program. “We have yet to have a parent walk through the door and not be impressed with our setup,” says Peregoy.
Outcomes
Three years in, Greene County’s Manufacturing Career Pathway is a success, with high student engagement and consistently positive feedback. Students particularly appreciate the hands-on learning, problem-solving opportunities, and collaborative team projects.
The county expects program enrollment numbers to double in 2025-2026, given that participation in the first level course has already increased to the point that Greene County Technical Education Center was forced to add another section to accommodate growing interest.
Many students are graduating with industry certifications that prepare them for immediate entry into the workforce or higher education. The school boasts a 75% pass rate for certification, with a goal of 100% this year.
One standout success is a senior student participating in a work-based learning apprenticeship while earning certifications in the program, with plans to pursue a degree that complements his hands-on training. This example is emblematic of the program’s ability to serve students with varied post-graduation goals, whether that’s immediate employment or further academic study.
Conclusion
Through strategic partnerships, innovative curriculum, and state-of-the-art technology, Greene County Public Schools successfully launched a Manufacturing CTE Career Pathway that meets the demands of local industry and offers students valuable skills and certifications. The IGNITE program has not only prepared students for real-world careers but also created a lasting connection between education and the local manufacturing community.