When Loudoun County Public Schools hosted its annual Workforce Summit on Oct. 24 at the National Conference Center, more than 315 attendees came together to shape the future of the region’s workforce through collaboration, curiosity and connection.
The half-day event, led by the Division of Career, Technical and Adult Education, brought business leaders, educators and students into a shared conversation about aligning education with evolving workforce needs. The summit served as a reminder that preparing students for success means looking at the whole child, including experiences that build confidence, character, belonging and purpose.
From Classrooms to Careers
Opening remarks from Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet, School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield and Superintendent Aaron Spence set the tone for the day: learning must connect to the real world.
“As educators, we know the world is changing faster than ever,” Dr. Spence said. “It’s not enough for schools to simply teach academics. We must connect what happens in our classrooms to the realities of the workplace. That bridge between learning and earning is where our students discover who they are, what excites them and how they can contribute to the world around them.”
Throughout the day, attendees participated in discussions focused on curiosity, adaptability, passion-led career development and the power of school-business partnerships.
A highlight of the event was the Student Perspectives Panel, featuring LCPS graduates and current students who shared their experiences with internships, work-based learning and mentorship. Their stories reminded attendees that when students connect classroom learning to real opportunities, they gain more than skills; they gain belonging.
“When a student walks into a workplace, collaborates with professionals and sees that their ideas matter, that’s belonging,” Dr. Spence said. “When they discover a career that excites them or find a mentor who believes in their potential, that’s belonging. It’s the powerful sense of being seen, valued and included in something larger than themselves.”
Business and Education: Partners in Purpose
This year, more than 70 percent of attendees represented local businesses, a clear sign of Loudoun County’s investment in developing future talent. Partners such as the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee, Loudoun School-Business Partnership Executive Council, Loudoun Economic Development, the Loudoun Education Foundation and the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation continue to strengthen connections between education and industry.
“The School Board is committed to ensuring every student has access to meaningful learning experiences such as career exploration, internships, dual enrollment and community-based projects,” Mansfield said. “We believe learning should open doors, expand possibilities and inspire confidence in every child’s future.”
The Workforce Summit highlights that LCPS, business and industry are creating pathways, not checkboxes.
Virginia’s “3E” framework, which stands for Enrolled, Enlisted or Employed, emphasizes that career readiness is not optional. LCPS continues to align with this framework by increasing access to industry credentials, dual enrollment and work-based learning experiences that connect students to postsecondary opportunities.
“LCPS students will leave with more than a diploma,” Dr. Spence said. “They’ll leave with a résumé, professional contacts and a sense of identity. They’ll understand their strengths, see their potential and know that their community believes in them.”
A Community Investing in Its Future
The summit closed with a reflection panel led by Tony Howard, president and CEO of the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, who reminded attendees that this work is a shared investment in Loudoun’s future. It highlighted that everyone plays a role in shaping the next generation of Loudoun County talent.
The Workforce Summit was not just an event; it’s a movement toward a stronger, more connected future. As the day ended, students left inspired, businesses left engaged and educators left affirmed in their mission. In Loudoun County, the future of work and the future of every student are already taking shape.
To learn more about the Division of Career, Technical and Adult Education and LCPS efforts to invest in today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce, visit lcps.org/ctae.