Multiple high schools in Virginia are purchasing augmented reality systems to help their students learn welding and electronic vehicle systems through $600,000 in grants distributed by the Virginia Department of Education for Career and Technical Education (CTE). 

The department distributed the funds to 16 school divisions and each received $37,500 to purchase new equipment. 

“Virginia’s CTE programs play an important role in developing our workforce and helping students explore in-demand career opportunities,” said Lisa Coons, Virginia superintendent of public instruction, in a release. “This funding will help provide the resources, equipment, and support needed to run successful CTE programs that will grow Virginia’s economy and shape the futures of students across the Commonwealth.” 

The CTE equipment program was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2016 with the first grants distributed in 2017. It has provided $4.8 million to schools in the state since it started, according to the release.

High schools awarded the grant funds plan to purchase equipment to help students enter a variety of fields from medical to agriculture. However, nearly half purchased equipment that could help students planning to work in automotive or collision repair. 

Five schools plan to purchase augmented reality welding systems, two will buy augmented reality electronic vehicle systems and one school plans to purchase augmented reality electronic vehicles and hybrid systems equipment. 

Franklin County High School plans to purchase a welding system. A teacher there said the equipment will help prepare students for classes at a community college. 

“We are seeing that the community colleges are utilizing this technology, so students get that experience in high school before they go for the program, they’ll already have a leg up,” Morgan Washburn, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, told WDBJ7.

The equipment will be used by the school’s agriculture, collision repair, auto technology, and masonry students, the story says. 

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