Signing Day is normally reserved for student-athletes, but some high school students on the Southside got the opportunity to have their own signing day.
Several Career Tech Academy students signed on to work for employers like Hitachi and Rogers Heating and Cooling Systems following graduation.
This happened at the Completion Ceremony at the Prizery on May 17.
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and Career Tech Academy hosted the ceremony in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center says all CTA students were recognized along with industry partners.
The CTA students participated in a work-based learning system, to earn college credits with regional businesses.
The program provides juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn dual-enrollment and industry credentials in high-demand careers.
It's a collaboration between three public school systems: Charlotte, Halifax, and Mecklenburg county school districts, as well as the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center.
Through the hands-on training, students gain in-demand job skills in automation and robotics, information technology, industrial technology, and welding.
According to the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, students may earn high school and community college credit, a career studies certificate through Danville and Southside Virginia Community Colleges, and other industry-recognized certifications.
They also say the school districts pay the tuition expenses for each student to attend, which range from about $2,500 to $3,300.
If there is interest in joining the program, you can email Stephanie Robinson at stephanierobinson@svhec.org.