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Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab at Radford University hosts region 7 CTE directors meeting

Radford, VA (11/08/2024) — On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab at Radford University hosted the Region 7 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Directors Meeting. The event brought together leaders from across the region to discuss pressing issues in CTE and explore innovative educational models and training resources available at Radford University's IMPACT Lab.

The meeting included discussions on the business of CTE Directors and provided attendees with an overview of the IMPACT Lab's Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs, particularly the PACE (Pathways to Accelerated Career Education) program. Funded through the Regional Partnerships for Economic Development (RPED) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the PACE program aims to address regional workforce needs through competency-based, industry-aligned training that supports rapid workforce entry and career advancement. Attendees also toured the IMPACT Lab and Radford University's Innovation Hub, experiencing the high-tech learning environments and resources firsthand.

When asked about this experience, Megan Atkinson, Director of Career and Technical Education at Pulaski County Public Schools and the VACTEA Region 7 Chair, said, "Career and Technical Education serves as a vital bridge between K-12 academic knowledge and real-world applications. By fostering partnerships that promote collaboration and growth in CTE, we build quality educational pathways for our local talent. I am grateful to the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab at Radford University for hosting our Region 7 CTE Directors meeting. This industry tour showcased the innovative programs, training, and certifications available at the IMPACT Lab, providing me and my colleagues with invaluable opportunities to bring back to our school divisions.

"As the Interim Executive Director of the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab, I was honored to welcome Region 7's CTE Directors to our lab," said Tom Bennett. "This gathering underscored the value of collaboration in bridging education and workforce development. Through initiatives like the PACE program, we are committed to delivering innovative, competency-based learning solutions that empower students and professionals alike with skills that are directly applicable in today's economy. We looked forward to sharing the work we're doing and exploring further ways to support our local school divisions and communities."

Radford University was proud to support Region 7's CTE Directors by providing this platform for discussion, networking, and discovery of new opportunities to advance career and technical education throughout the region.

About the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab at Radford University

The Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab is a leader in innovative, competency-based education, specializing in industry-aligned programs that meet workforce needs and support professional growth. In collaboration with partners throughout Virginia and beyond, the IMPACT Lab is committed to transforming lives through accessible, flexible, and impactful education and training opportunities.

For more information on the meeting or the IMPACT Lab, please contact Tom Bennett at tbennett24@radford.edu or visit https://radford.edu/impact.

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