Career
Earning a Credential & Preparing for the Workforce
Earning some type of credential after high school, whether it's from a college or through an apprenticeship or trade school, helps students set themselves apart from others and demonstrate valuable job skills. Many of our students actually earn credentials in high school through their CTE classes (ex: Agriculture, Marketing, THCTT, etc.). Taking CTE classes and passing a related exam means students are already on the way to becoming competive in the workforce.
An apprenticeship is a training program which allows individuals to prepare for a skilled occupation through supervised training on the job combined with classroom instruction. Students are able to earn pay while learning and some apprenticeships also provide benefits. Many employers will even help cover the cost of the classroom instruction. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for some local trade and apprenticeship programs.
Timeline
Use this high school timeline to learn what students are doing at each grade level to prepare for their future postsecondary plans.
Career Expos
Career Expos are held twice each year in August and March for students to meet with local businesses and explore a variety of career options. Additionally, The Hanover Center for Trades and Technology hosts their own annual event.
Career Cafes
Events at each high school and feature employers within the community. They focus on a variety of Career Clusters and Career Pathways. Sample Career Cafes.
Industry Credentials
Students attending HCPS have the opportunity to enroll in CTE classes that can lead to earning industry credentials in addition to their high school diploma. A student can earn a credential by taking a sequence of CTE courses followed by passing a related industry exam. The areas include, but are not limited to: agriculture, business and information technology, family and consumer sciences, health and medical sciences, and many more. Students should discuss these options with their school counselor.
Trade Schools/ Apprenticeship Opportunities
Use the sheet below to see local options and use the sheet as a way to organize researching these opportunities.
Trade School Organizer (**Make a Copy**).xlsx
HCPS uses MajorClarity, an engaging and student-driven career exploration platform. Beginning in 5th grade through 12th, students will dive into MajorClarity for an interactive opportunity to identify personal career interests, test-drive career pathways, and build a plan of study.
MajorClarity is highly intuitive and offers a personalized approach for students. Accounts track personality preferences, career favorites, career ‘fit scores’, college choices, and supports the process of academic and career planning all in one easy place.
Students can also earn microcredentials through Major Clarity in cybersecurity technology, energy, general employability skills, HVAC, medical services, nursing, software programming, and virtual etiquette.
Career One Stop
Explore careers (including fastest growing careers), find training & education, job search planning through Career One Stop.
Additional Career Assessments
US & Virginia Career Information
Other Great Career Resources
Current Open Opportunities
A number of local employers reach out to Hanover County excited to work with our students. The following companies are interested in hiring HCPS students and have shared opportunies for recruitment.
