Arlington Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College, and Virginia Tech expand Ecosystem Initiatives

 

The Virginia Department of Education STEM leaders recognized the collaboration between the Career, Technical and Adult Education Office of Arlington Public Schools, the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College, and Virginia Tech's, D.C. area Technical Education and Workforce Development programs with 2026 support for efforts to promote innovate STEM opportunities and workforce pathwaysfor all students.

Governor signs workforce education and training bills

 Governor Spanberger Signs Bills Into Law to Raise State Minimum Wage, Boost Workforce Training, & Support Economic Growth

The Governor Signed Bills to Raise Minimum Wage to $15 per Hour, Bring New Workers to Virginia’s Offshore Wind Industry, & Connect High School Students with Apprenticeships

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today signed into law legislation to incrementally increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour, secure stronger wages for Virginians who feed and fuel the Commonwealth, and connect more Virginians with career opportunities.

“Today, we are putting more money in the pockets of Virginia workers,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “If you work full time in Virginia, you should be able to afford to live in Virginia. You should be able to keep up with your rent or mortgage, fill your medications, and save for your kids’ futures. I am signing legislation to support the men and women who power our economy, including so many of the people who keep our agriculture industry strong — and we were proud to work with the Virginia Farm Bureau to strike a balance to protect farm workers and our vital farming industry.”

Spanberger continued, “Virginia’s competitive advantage is our talent. Preparing Virginia’s next generation to succeed not only helps young Virginians earn a good living, but it makes clear to businesses across the nation that they will thrive in our Commonwealth. Because investing in our workforce is a win for

Volunteers needed: Regional Invention Virginia / Invention DC Expo - April 18 - Alexandria

A few hours can make a lasting impact! 

Join us on April 18 at the Invention Virginia NoVA Regional Expo and be a part of a student inventor's journey!

Sign-up here:
https://lnkd.in/ex-HVs3q  

Community and Industry Experts Needed - Northern Virginia Young Inventors Event - Saturday April 18 - Potomac Yard Metro

 Participate in Invention Virginia's April 18 Northern Virginia Expo as either an Inventor or as a Industry or Community Professional - www.InventionVirginia.net or www.InventionDC.net.  

Saturday, April 18 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM  

No costs for Inventors or Families or Community and Industry Professionals.

We’re looking for industry professionals to:
🔹 Encourage and mentor student inventors
🔹 Share real-world insights on innovation
🔹 Provide supportive feedback on their ideas

Recruiting Industry professionals supporting young inventors - Saturday, April 18. 9am

Visit InventionVirginia.net to learn more and volunteer: 

Marymount University Launches Regional Workforce Initiative

 from the Marymount University blog:

Marymount University to lead regional tech workforce initiative with development of NOVATech Works Hub

Posted on January 14, 2026 by adauches

Marymount University has received a grant to lead the development of NOVATech Works, a new regional initiative designed to strengthen Northern Virginia’s technology workforce and create clearer pathways into high-demand tech careers. 

This project is funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries.

The project positions Marymount as a central mover in one of the region’s most urgent economic priorities: preparing workers for jobs in emerging and rapidly evolving technology fields.

“As technology becomes more complex and interconnected, the workforce must also change,” said Dr. Diane Murphy, a distinguished professor in the Marymount School of Technology and Innovation who will serve as Project Director for the NOVATech Works initiative. “Many organizations are doing their bit to help in the needed reskilling and upskilling efforts. NOVATech Works will coordinate all these resources, so individuals can see all the options available for them through an AI-enabled hub and motivate them to stay in the area and

i2i FutureReady Career Exploration Event - March 11-12 - Register by January 9!

 EMPLOYERS SHOULD REGISTER
BY JANUARY 9 !!

See all details at https://virginiaedstrategies.org/instruction-2-industry/

 About the Conference

Today's Students are Tomorrow's Workforce!

The event runs March 11 & 12, 2026, from 10am to 1pm each day at Inova Conference Center in Fairfax, with a different group of students attending on each date! More than 1,600 high school students from eight school divisions in the northern Virginia region will attend this year’s Future Ready Conference!

Participating school divisions include: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William.

This dynamic two-day regional event connects students with over 125+ local industry professionals from high-demand career fields. Organized by career clusters, the conference allows students to explore related occupations, see how different career paths connect, and discover the skills and education needed for success.