Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) hosted a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Expansion Plan Roundtable on February 26, 2026. The event brought together education leaders, members of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, and more than 100 business and community partners at the LCPS Administration Building.
Business representatives from all 17 nationally recognized career clusters attended, reflecting the variety of Loudoun’s workforce. The roundtable aimed to advance LCPS’s five-year CTE plan through collaborative discussion focused on aligning educational programs with real-world job requirements.
The session primarily sought industry feedback on curriculum design, workforce needs, and course sequencing. Participants followed a structured process to share detailed insights about their industries.
Three main topics were discussed: industry needs assessment, course sequencing and competencies, and certification opportunities. Stakeholders identified important hard and soft skills missing in entry-level hires as well as trends affecting new workers. Business leaders reviewed proposed course sequences for alignment with job expectations and suggested specific competencies to include in courses. Industry representatives also recommended certifications that could improve student readiness for the workforce.
The meeting concluded with a summary of key points to guide future program development.
During the event, Nathan “Nate” Mart from Inova was recognized for his efforts in supporting students’ access to health and medical sciences opportunities. Mart has helped secure placements for students, coordinated events such as Inova Days, supported leadership conferences, and contributed to launching speaker series.
“He is known for never hesitating to help. He connects people, opens doors and makes a lasting difference for students pursuing careers in health and medical sciences.”
Dr. Michael Grubbs, Director of LCPS Career, Technical, and Adult Education said: “We are incredibly grateful for the authentic engagement and partnership of our business community. The energy and expertise in the room made it clear that this work matters, not just to LCPS, but to the future of our region. When industry leaders invest their time to provide meaningful feedback, it directly impacts our students. Their insight helps us refine our programs, strengthen workforce readiness and ensure LCPS continues to lead the way in delivering high-quality Career and Technical Education opportunities.”
The roundtable reinforced LCPS’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with workforce needs by involving business leaders in planning processes. Insights from this session will inform ongoing program development as part of LCPS’s long-term strategy for high-quality CTE experiences.
