Second HCPS “Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day” will build on national attention

Henrico, Va. April 15, 2019 – Since Henrico County Public Schools held its first Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day in March 2018, the HCPS Department of Career and Technical Education has fielded hundreds of calls from school divisions asking for advice on replicating the idea. On April 23, some of those same school systems will send representatives – from as far away as Minnesota – to take in Henrico Schools’ second signing day.

The event’s second edition will last for much of the day and be organized into smaller ceremonies, by industry. The signing day will again be held at the Junior Achievement Finance Park, located on the third floor of the Libbie Mill Library. More than 100 students will take part.

The concept mimics ceremonies that honor high school athletes as they gather in gyms to sign letters-of-intent to play for NCAA athletic programs. Henrico Schools’ Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day recognizes students entering the workforce with a similar ceremony before family and members of the media. Students and representatives of their future employers will both sign letters-of-intent outlining what students must do before and during employment, what the employer will provide in pay and training, and an estimate of the position’s value. Similar to signing day for athletes, students will don a hat or other form of promotional clothing representing the company, Henrico County Public Schools and the school division’s Career and Technical Education program.

The 2018 event was featured on CNN Headline News, Fox News and Today.com. A school division Facebook post about the signing day reached more than 4.9 million people, was shared more than 25,000 times and prompted more than 36,000 likes when it was shared by Mike Rowe of the Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” and other projects.

Who: Members of the media are invited to attend.

When: April 23 (ceremonies are grouped by industry area)

– 10:30-11:30: Health services

– Noon to 1 p.m.: Human services

– 2-3 p.m.: IT and technology

– 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Skilled trades

– 4:30: Closing remarks

Where: Libbie Mill Library (Junior Achievement Finance Park, third floor), 2100 Libbie Lake East St., Henrico, Va. 23230

Photo captions: Henrico Schools’ 2018 Career and Technical Education Letter-of-Intent Signing Day drew national attention by recognizing students entering the workforce. The 2019 edition will take place April 23 at Henrico County’s Libbie Mill Library.