Prince George technical center wins $625,000 Go Virginia grant, adds $400,000 in donated equipment for new engineering program
April 13, 2026 | PRINCE GEORGE CO PBLC SCHS, School Districts, Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Prince George County’s regional career-and-technical center is expanding its program offerings after winning a Go Virginia grant and receiving a large equipment donation.
Paul Lathrop, principal of Rehwanti Technical Center, told the school board that the center “wrote and received a Go Virginia grant for $625,000” and has taken delivery of equipment donated by CCAM with an estimated street value of about $400,000. He said vendor installation will begin in May and that “our first student cohort begins in August 2026.”
Lathrop described the planned engineering and manufacturing technician program as including CNC mills and lathes, CNC routers, additive-process rigs, 3-D printers and robotic arms that will support industry-relevant certifications and post-graduation employment. He said about half of the $625,000 grant has already been procured and that the remainder is in process.
The Rehwanti principal also reviewed other CTE updates: the center’s current enrollment is 245 students, including 110 from Prince George County, and credential pass rates for Prince George students remain high; he reported an 89.47% pass rate for workforce-readiness certifications and said some credential pass rates are already in the 90s. Lathrop noted an updated nurse-aide pathway taking effect next school year, reducing required clinical hours from 280 to 140 to align high-school course hours with community-college and state requirements.
Board members welcomed the new program and emphasized workforce opportunities for students who may choose well‑paying trade careers without debt. The board and superintendent discussed recruiting a qualified teacher for the new program and cross-posting the position as both an engineering/manufacturing and technology-education posting to broaden candidate interest.
The superintendent and CTE staff said the expansion aligns with division objectives to increase post-graduate career readiness and strengthen ties with local employers and higher-education partners.
Paul Lathrop, principal of Rehwanti Technical Center, told the school board that the center “wrote and received a Go Virginia grant for $625,000” and has taken delivery of equipment donated by CCAM with an estimated street value of about $400,000. He said vendor installation will begin in May and that “our first student cohort begins in August 2026.”
Lathrop described the planned engineering and manufacturing technician program as including CNC mills and lathes, CNC routers, additive-process rigs, 3-D printers and robotic arms that will support industry-relevant certifications and post-graduation employment. He said about half of the $625,000 grant has already been procured and that the remainder is in process.
The Rehwanti principal also reviewed other CTE updates: the center’s current enrollment is 245 students, including 110 from Prince George County, and credential pass rates for Prince George students remain high; he reported an 89.47% pass rate for workforce-readiness certifications and said some credential pass rates are already in the 90s. Lathrop noted an updated nurse-aide pathway taking effect next school year, reducing required clinical hours from 280 to 140 to align high-school course hours with community-college and state requirements.
Board members welcomed the new program and emphasized workforce opportunities for students who may choose well‑paying trade careers without debt. The board and superintendent discussed recruiting a qualified teacher for the new program and cross-posting the position as both an engineering/manufacturing and technology-education posting to broaden candidate interest.
The superintendent and CTE staff said the expansion aligns with division objectives to increase post-graduate career readiness and strengthen ties with local employers and higher-education partners.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
