Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) convened education leaders, members of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee (CTEAC) and more than 100 business and community partners for a CTE Expansion Plan Roundtable at the LCPS Administration Building on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Business leaders representing a broad range of the 17 nationally recognized career clusters were invited to participate, and the LCPS School Board Room was filled with partners reflecting the depth and diversity of Loudoun’s regional workforce. The roundtable advanced the division’s Career and Technical Education five-year plan through a structured, collaborative working session focused on real-world alignment.
The majority of the session was dedicated to gathering actionable industry feedback on curriculum design, workforce needs and course sequencing. Participants engaged in a facilitated protocol designed to capture detailed industry insight, with comprehensive notes collected throughout the process.
Discussions centered on three primary areas:
Industry Needs Assessment
Participants identified the top three hard skills and top three soft skills currently missing in entry-level hires within their industries, as well as emerging trends impacting individuals entering the field.
Course Sequencing and Competencies
Business leaders reviewed proposed course sequences and provided feedback on how well they reflect real-world job expectations. Stakeholders also recommended specific competencies and content that should be embedded within courses to better prepare students for workforce entry.
Certification Opportunities
Industry representatives helped identify relevant industry certifications students should pursue to strengthen preparation and increase workforce readiness.
The session concluded with a synthesis of key takeaways to inform next steps in program development.
During the event, LCPS also recognized Nathan “Nate” Mart from Inova for consistently going above and beyond to remove barriers and create meaningful opportunities for students. From quickly securing a critical patient-contact placement for an EMT student to helping launch the Health and Medical Sciences Academy Guest Speaker Series, coordinating Inova Days and supporting the first regional HOSA Leadership Conference, Mart exemplifies partnership in action.
He is known for never hesitating to help. He connects people, opens doors and makes a lasting difference for students pursuing careers in health and medical sciences.
“We are incredibly grateful for the authentic engagement and partnership of our business community,” said Dr. Michael Grubbs, Director of LCPS Career, Technical, and Adult Education. “The energy and expertise in the room made it clear that this work matters, not just to LCPS, but to the future of our region. When industry leaders invest their time to provide meaningful feedback, it directly impacts our students. Their insight helps us refine our programs, strengthen workforce readiness and ensure LCPS continues to lead the way in delivering high-quality Career and Technical Education opportunities.”
Rooted in the vision of the five-year plan, the roundtable reinforced LCPS’ commitment to aligning educational experiences with evolving industry standards. By engaging business and community leaders directly in the planning process, LCPS continues to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and workforce readiness while building programs that reflect student interests and regional economic priorities.
Insights gathered during the session will guide future program development and support the division’s long-term strategy for delivering high-quality, future-ready Career and Technical Education experiences.