GO TEC Career Labs launch in two Roanoke County middle schools to expand career pathways for students
Roanoke, Virginia – The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), in partnership with Roanoke County Public Schools, has announced the establishment of Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC) Career Connections Labs at Hidden Valley Middle School and William Byrd Middle School. These new labs are part of a larger expansion effort supported by nearly $1 million in GO Virginia funding, combined with over $500,000 in local and regional contributions.
The new labs in Roanoke County join four other middle schools across the New River Valley currently installing GO TEC labs. All six are part of GO Virginia Region 2, and are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025.
Empowering Students Through Hands-On Career Discovery
The GO TEC Career Connections Labs are designed to help middle school students gain early exposure to high-demand careers in technology and engineering. These labs connect classroom learning to real-world job opportunities in fields such as Automation & Robotics, Precision Machining, Healthcare Technologies, Information Technology Coding & Networking, Metrology, and Welding.
“Expanding GO TEC into six additional Region 2 middle schools means thousands more students will gain early exposure to high-demand career fields. These labs give students hands-on experience with technologies that are shaping the future of work in Virginia. We’re excited to continue building momentum and reaching new communities,” said Angela Brown, GO TEC Director.
The program’s curriculum is standardized across the Commonwealth, ensuring that all participating students gain practical, industry-relevant skills regardless of location. The initiative not only builds career awareness but also strengthens future workforce pipelines.
A Growing Vision for All Middle Schools
Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ken Nicely expressed excitement about the launch, noting that these are the first two middle schools in the county to adopt GO TEC labs.
“We are thrilled that HVMS and WBMS are the first two middle schools in Roanoke County to add these labs. Our goal is for all our middle schools to eventually have a GO TEC lab in the coming years,” said Dr. Nicely.
He added, “With these labs, our middle school students can begin discovering their passions early – exploring different career paths, identifying what excites them, and then growing those interests through our outstanding career and technical education programs.”
Scaling Across Virginia
The GO TEC initiative began as a pilot program in Danville and Pittsylvania County in 2018. Since then, it has rapidly expanded. By the 2025–26 academic year, the program is projected to be present in 76 schools across Virginia, reaching more than 11,000 students annually.
As more schools install these high-tech learning environments, the GO TEC program continues to serve as a model for early career engagement, giving students meaningful exposure to the career fields shaping Virginia’s economic future.
