Career and technical education opportunities are growing for students in Chesterfield County Public Schools. The school system and the Chesterfield County Emergency Communications Center have signed an agreement to bring an innovative emergency telecommunications program to CCPS students. This collaboration will create a career pathway for students pursuing futures as 911 dispatchers with Chesterfield County and will help to fill a critical workforce need in a high-demand profession.
The emergency telecommunications program will be offered through the school system’s Career and Technical Center and integrated into the criminal justice curriculum. The program will provide students with the opportunity to earn three high school credits while gaining hands-on experience in emergency telecommunications. Students will engage in both classroom instruction and a work-based learning experience.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to provide real-world, career-focused opportunities that equip students for success in high-demand professions,” said Dr. John Murray, superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. “Through this program, students will gain the knowledge, skills and experience needed to enter the emergency communications field and support Chesterfield County’s vital public safety services.”
The program will be available to eligible seniors who will be 18 or older by June 1 at the end of their 12th grade year. Students who meet the necessary criteria will be selected to join the program as Emergency Telecommunicator Cadets, reporting to the ECC Academy for specialized training. Up to 20 students will be accepted into the cohort, where they will be taught by a certified ECC Academy instructor.
“By working together with CCPS, we are helping to create a new generation of professionals who will play a crucial role in keeping our community safe,” said Shannon M. White, chief of personnel development for Chesterfield County Emergency Communications. “This program will benefits students but also strengthen Chesterfield's ability to provide timely, professional responses during emergencies.”
Set to begin July 1, with yearly renewals, the program will also offer a comprehensive, real-life curriculum to ensure students are well-prepared for certification and employment as emergency telecommunicators.
Brian Russell, principal of the Career and Technical Center, said, “It is the greatest reward to have our students prepared for the workforce through the programs and partnerships we have created within Chesterfield County Public Schools. The commitment of both CCPS and the ECC will provide a sustainable model of safety and well-being for the citizens of Chesterfield County.”
For more information about the emergency telecommunications program, contact Career and Technical Center Counseling Coordinator Karen Golden or Principal Brian Russell at 804-768-6160.