Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) received first place in the 2026 Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Excellence in Workforce Readiness Awards for its “Hands-On Learning, Real-World Impact: Students Build a School” initiative. At the ACE Center at Hermitage, students put what they are learning about construction into practice by helping complete their school’s second floor.

Working from architectural drawings prepared by Quinn Evans, students are gaining real-world experience across multiple trades. The program brings our approach to designing career and technical education (CTE) spaces to life by leveraging the building itself as a teaching tool and supporting the hands-on, collaborative nature of skills-based learning.

At its core, this project exemplifies what true workforce readiness looks like. Students are not just learning about construction trades; they are actively practicing them in an authentic environment.

VIRGINIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Read the official announcement here.