Buckingham County and Prince Edward County school systems are among those benefiting from $600,000 in grants Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday that will help upgrade career and technical education (CTE) program equipment.

A press release from the office of the governor noted that Northam said the $600,000 in competitive grants will go to 16 high schools and technical centers to upgrade equipment for their CTE programs, with each school or technical center receiving $37,500 to purchase new equipment and to make other necessary improvements.

“Technology is ever-changing, and our career and technical education programs must have the up-to-date equipment necessary to prepare Virginia students for the jobs of tomorrow, which include industries like high-tech manufacturing, bioengineering, health care and skilled trades,” Northam said in the release. “With this funding, we are making critical investments in our young people, giving them the tools and training they need to be competitive in our 21st-century economy.”

Also in the release, Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni said, “Just like pencils, paper and books, modern technology and equipment are necessary tools for providing high-quality and hands-on learning to students. These grants will support much-needed equipment upgrades, which help facilitate excellent teaching and learning relevant to the needs of our local economies.”

The release then listed the awards, by school division. It cited that Prince Edward County High School would be able to receive an interactive geriatric patient simulator.

Prince Edward County Public Schools (PECPS) Superintendent Dr. Barbara A. Johnson said, “We are excited for this grant and the new opportunities it offers our students.”

According to PECPS officials, the upgraded equipment for the school division’s nursing aide/health care programs will include the Simulaids ALEX Plus Patient Communication Simulator, geriatric nursing manikins, blood pressure simulators, the RealCare Geriatric Simulator, geriatric foot care models and geriatric sensory impairment kits.

The release from the office of the governor stated that the Buckingham CTE Center would be able to receive computer numerical control plasma cutting equipment.

Buckingham County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Daisy Hicks said, “We are very excited to receive this grant which will provide our students with hands-on experience with the welding equipment that they will utilize in the real world. I am glad that Mr. Kyle Bryan, CTE principal, Mr. Chris Walter, teacher, and Mr. Andy Schmitt, teacher, took the initiative to apply for this grant.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane noted in the governor’s press release that “CTE programs prepare students for career opportunities in fields that are important to their communities. Replacing outdated equipment and purchasing the technology needed to support instruction in new career pathways is essential for CTE programs to remain relevant and ensure that graduates are ready for the 21st-century workplace.”

The competitive grant program was approved by the 2016 General Assembly, with the first grants to schools and technical centers awarded in 2017, officials stated in the release. They concluded the announcement by citing that the grant program gives priority to challenged schools, Governor’s STEM Academies and Governor’s Health Science Academies.