Henrico CTE Now (Career & Technical Education)

In an era where the commercial construction industry is facing a massive skilled labor shortage, how do we bridge the gap? From the ground up! Kenbridge Construction is leading the charge with state-of-the-art projects like the new ACE Center at Virginia Randolph.In this episode, we sit down with Kenbridge’s Brandon Spencer and Cameron Reekes to tackle the industry's biggest hiring hurdles. We explore how cutting-edge tech is reshaping the job site and why today’s CTE students are the missing piece to solving the workforce puzzle. Get the blueprint on how the next generation can step into high-demand roles and build a powerhouse career.

In this episode, we plug into a vital conversation about the soaring demand for skilled electrical workers. We are joined by industry experts: Grant Shmelzer, CEO of IEC Chesapeake, and Mac Beaton, Director of Workforce and Career Development with Henrico County Public Schools.Join us as they illuminate the urgent need for more young people to explore a rewarding career in the electrical field, discussing the growth opportunities, training pathways, and the bright future for those ready to power our communities.

The total "Care Economy," which includes both paid and unpaid care, is currently valued at roughly $6 trillion (nearly a quarter of U.S. GDP), and experts warn it is at risk of significant contraction due to these labor shortages. Today, we talk with Mary Helen Crowder, Home Health Aide Instructor, at the ACE Center at Hermitage, about what Henrico County Schools are doing to do their part to close the healthcare labor gap. We were visited by one of Mary’s outstanding students and spoke with her about her experiences in the program.When professional home health aides are unavailable or unaffordable, the burden shifts to family members. As of late 2025, the estimated economic value of unpaid caregiving in the U.S. has climbed to over $1 trillion annually. A study in Health Affairs estimated the personal cost of unearned income for family caregivers at roughly $67 billion per year, a figure expected to double by 2050 as the "silver tsunami" of aging retirees intensifies.

Episode: Designing Your Future: Career Pathways in ArchitectureArchitecture encompasses a wide range of fields and areas of expertise. In this episode, professional architects Allison Leighton and Billy Riggs share what sparked their interest at a young age and which CTE skills students can use to build their own foundation for career success.

We visit with Jeremy Davis- Regional Workforce Development Manager, and Curtis Tinsley- Senior Virtual Design Manager at Miller Electric and discuss the "electrification of everything," and how that, with the slow pace of new young people to get into the electrical field and with over 30% of union electricians are due to retire soon creates a perfect storm for electrical contractors. Companies do not have enough workers to fulfill the work needed to be completed, now means salaries are high and still rising. Have a listen.

Get ready for a treat, dog lovers! In our newest episode, we're wagging our tails with excitement as we sit down with Emily Bracken, Head Trainer and Owner of Dog Lovers Obedience School. We also have Karen Bickett, one of the Veterinary Science instructors at the ACE Center at Hermitage, joining the conversation.Emily is a shining example of the ACE Center's success. As a graduate of the program herself, she's been training dogs for years, even before she officially graduated! Join us as we dig into how her education at the ACE Center laid the foundation for her thriving business. This episode is packed with invaluable insights for anyone passionate about pets and professional success!

In this episode, we talk with Jessica Behmke and Trena Sailer, both members of the Richmond Chapter of NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction. They were working with some young ladies who are learning about the different construction trades, not just to learn about them, but to possibly make the trades a career. Sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction, Camp NAWIC brings together Trades professionals and middle school girls for an empowering, hands-on, and unique week-long building experience. https://www.nawicrichmond.org/

To understand the critical need for aircraft mechanics and other aviation professionals in Richmond and nationwide. We interviewed Betty Wilson, Public Relations and Education Manager, and Jeff Taylor, Aircraft Maintenance Manager, from the Virginia Department of Aviation.

In this episode, we are talking to Daniel Singleton- ACE Center Program Manager and Lead Instructor in Fire Science/ Career Firefighter and Paramedic, Henrico Co. Division of Fire, Nathan Jones, Firefighting 1, ACE Hermitage, Landon Parent, Firefighting 1, ACE Hermitage. Like many counties across the country, Henrico County is looking to hire young people to join their special group of individuals who put their lives on the line every day. Firefighting is a noble profession, and today's discussion will give you the information you need if you are interested in joining this group of superheroes!

We had scheduled a student to be with Heather Veneziano, but they had to cancel at the last minute. We still had a great talk about the Horticulture/Landscaping program at the ACE Center at Virginia Randolph and the huge demand for workers in many fields connected to our program.

The construction trades are suffering from a huge shortage of skilled tradesmen in the U.S. Many companies are exploring how they can attract more young people, men, and women, to the construction trades to deal with the increasing workload in their industry. Learn about the varied career paths in the industry and why they are great careers to follow. We talked with former ACE Center carpentry student, and in college to become an architect, Skye Allen, and Michael Higgins, and Charlie Mahaffey with Kokosing Construction.

In this episode, we talk with Jake Duffee, General Manager at the Caliber Collision in Glen Allen. Caliber is listed in the country's top 20 body shop companies and has many locations all over the Richmond area. Jake talks to us about the industry and how they set the standard when it comes to hiring and training their employees. Careers in the auto body industry have changed so much in the past 20 years for the better and this is a great interview to listen to if you are considering a career in the industry.