June 11, 2019
Charleston, W.Va. – Six students from West Virginia’s nationally recognized Career Technical Education (CTE) Simulated Workplace program participated in the first-ever Simulated Workplace Career Signing Day at Dutch Miller today in South Charleston. Recent Automotive Technology graduates signed symbolic employment letters with the company. The signing represents the ongoing partnership between the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and Dutch Miller Auto Group to provide employment opportunities for students who meet the automotive industry’s demand for skilled workers.
The Simulated Workplace program creates industry-standard learning experiences within each CTE center across the state. With the support of business and industry, CTE classrooms and shops are transformed into real-world workplace environments that mirror industry workforce standards including random drug testing, professionalism, attendance and safety. Simulated Workplace’s work-based learning environment empowers students to take ownership of their education while thriving in an authentic workplace culture.
Dutch Miller Auto Group understands the value of Simulated Workplace and has worked to transition students from WVDE career education programs into available automotive technician positions within their multiple service departments. The partnership has allowed Dutch Miller first-hand access to a skilled, industry-certified, drug free, talent pipeline for immediate and future employment needs.
Simulated Workplace Career Signing Day students include:
- Hunter McNeely – Carver Career and Technical Education Center, Kanawha County
- Austin Siders – Carver Career and Technical Education Center, Kanawha County
- Matthew Taylor – Carver Career and Technical Education Center, Kanawha County
- Bradley Jarrell – Garnet Career Center, Kanawha County
- Darion Doering – Putnam Career & Technical Center, Putnam County
- Hunter Parsons – Putnam Career & Technical Center, Putnam County
Chris Miller, owner of Dutch Miller Auto Group, has fully embraced the partnership.
“Dutch Miller Automotive is looking forward to continuing our partnership with CTE programs in West Virginia,” he said. “We are extremely pleased with the caliber of students we are finding within these programs because they come to us job-ready and eager to learn more. WVDE works closely with us and other businesses to create a highly skilled talent pipeline for West Virginia.”
“The partnership with Dutch Miller is a great example of how our CTE centers can connect businesses with potential employees who have technical skills, soft skills, certifications and are drug free,” said West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Paine. “We are committed to advancing the state’s economy by continuously evolving our CTE programs to better meet business needs and provide our talented young people with opportunities to stay in West Virginia.”
Simulated Workplace and the Dutch Miller partnership illustrates WVDE’s commitment to preparing a skilled, industry-certified workforce for business and industry across the state.
West Virginia’s nationally renowned Simulated Workplace graduates consistently outpace the national average on technical assessments, making them job-ready for highly skilled positions in many in-demand fields.
Watch a highlight video of today’s event here: https://youtu.be/9q3ret3wQwl