John Glover, a Staunton building official and member of the Valley Career and Technical Center (Valley CTC) Foundation board, briefed Staunton City Council on April 24 about the newly formed foundation and how residents and businesses can support the center's programs.

Glover outlined Valley CTC’s 25-plus programs, including traditional trades and newer offerings such as veterinary science, aviation technology, clinical medical assistant training and phlebotomy. He said the center’s recent “blitz build” of houses paired students with local contractors for practical experience.

The foundation, Glover said, has partnered with a community foundation to accept and manage donations. Its priorities are: (1) promote industry partnerships to align training with employer demand; (2) fund student travel and entry fees for local, state and national skills competitions; and (3) provide a mechanism to buy or replace equipment more quickly than annual budget cycles allow.

Dr. Weitzel, present with the board members, told council that enrollment at Valley CTC increased about 27.28% over the past four years and that many hands-on classes are capped for safety; the school is “probably close to capacity.” She said adult programming is tuition-based while high-school programs remain free.

Councilors asked about enrollment trends and program demand; Dr. Weitzel said health and medical programs have grown fastest after conversations with Augusta Health, including new clinical medical assistant and phlebotomy offerings. She also said trades and aviation programs continue to grow as older workers retire and regional demand rises.

Glover thanked city support and said the foundation will consider scholarships or funds to help adult students who cannot afford tuition, once the foundation's fund balance grows.

Why it matters: The foundation aims to accelerate equipment purchases, expand industry connections and support student competition participation — actions that could shorten the time between training and employment and address local workforce gaps.