Success Stories

Advanced Technical Careers Academy (ATCA) Graduate Spotlight

Kayla Twitchell
Cartridge Manufacturing Technical Lvl 3
Canon Virginia, INC.

Kayla graduated Menchville High School and completed the Robotics and Mechatronics programs at New Horizons.  Kayla’s five year plan is to utilize tuition reimbursement to get an engineering degree to move into an engineering position in the company. 

“Taking Mechatronics my senior year aligned perfectly with transitioning into a career with Canon.  I am proud to have started a career with Canon and am excited for future opportunities with the company.”

 “She was hired and immediately placed online as a manufacturing technician on the newest, fastest, and most high tech automated assembly line Canon Va currently runs.  She has excelled as a technician, quickly learning the operation, processes and language in automated manufacturing.  We will continue to grow her skills and knowledge.”  Chuck Hyde Manufacturing Manager

Dental Assistant Success Story

Jaylen Robinson
Head Dental Assistant
Dr. Clark Family Dentistry 

Jaylen took the dental assisting I&II course and started his internship with Dr. Clark Family Dentistry in Nov 2019.  He became part of the staff after obtaining his x-ray certification and has been working with Dr. Clark ever since. Jaylen also attends Thomas Nelson Community College and is studying hygiene with hopes to be hired as Dr. Clark’s hygienist upon graduation. Jaylen is the head assistant at his office and is responsible for hiring staff.  Additionally, Jaylen served as a mentor to a current second year student during this past summer. He also is on the dental advisory board and often comes to New Horizons to speak to both first and second level students.

Mechatronics Program Recognized by Governor Terry McAuliffe


Pictured left to right: Dr. Seyed Akhavi, TNCC Dean; Dewey Ray, NHREC CTE Principal;
Shelly Simonds NHREC Board of Trustees Chair; Ms. Pam Nuby, Canon VA.; Governor Terry McAuliffe; Rich Wilcox, TNCC Instructor; Dr. Anne Holton, Va. State Board of Education;
Dr. Dietra Trent, Va. Secretary of Education

Governor McAuliffe recognized New Horizons Regional Education Center (NHREC), operated by the six Great Peninsula School Divisions, as a recipient of the inaugural Governor’s Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Education, Thursday Oct. 26th at the Executive Mansion in Richmond.  NHREC and Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) partnered in creating Mechatronics collaborative training agreement to provide a pipeline of trained high school graduates to address the documented regional workforce demand for manufacturing technicians.   NHREC provided the classroom and lab space while TNCC, through a Department of Labor Grant, provided equipment, technology and Siemens certified faculty to train 16 high school students.  This training agreement set forth an unprecedented rigor for a one year half-day regional program whereby highly qualified and screened high school students could earn 22 college dual enrollment credits, Siemens Level 1 Mechatronics Certification, and a TNCC Career Studies Certificate in Mechatronics Technology.  The program’s first year produced outstanding results with all 16 students earning all the dual enrollment credits, and 15/16 passing the Siemens Level 1 Mechatronics Certification.

Click on the link provided to read the Governor’s Press Release:
https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=21618


ADVANCED TECHNICAL CAREERS ACADEMY

“The Good Life Solution” – CTE Training to Employment

On October 20, 2017 the NHREC Advanced Technical Careers Academy (ATCA) (Automotive, Construction and Manufacturing) conducted the “The Good Life Solution” employment program kick-off event facilitated by Training Modernization Group (TMG).

The 2017-2018 ATCA Employment Program represents a revolutionary approach that focuses on employers hiring and retention needs. Thirteen local employers agreed to be a part of the ATCA’s first year employment program working with 68 pre-screened seniors currently enrolled in the ATCA training programs who desire to enter the Workforce upon graduation.

Employers will speak to the ATCA students about their company, career opportunities, and employment wages and benefits in November; engage with interested students during the school year; interview in March and proceed to hire qualified students upon graduation.

The goal is to have a minimum of 20 students walking across the stage receiving their NHREC Completer Certificate and handed their employment letter at the same time.  “Our graduates must be a part of our local employer’s talent acquisition and retention pipelines.  They need to be work ready employees that can improve the business’s performance.” says Joe Johnson, “the Good Life Solution is about a BIG Win for our Employers and a huge Win for our ATCA graduates who can have a good paying job with benefits so they can start the Good Life.”

The following employers have agreed to participate in SY 2017-2018.
Automotive – Suttle Motors, Coxton’s Collision Repair, Pomoco Auto Group, Wynne Ford/Volvo

Construction – Comfort Systems of Virginia, Inc., Middle Peninsula Contracting, Warwick Mechanical, Walsh Electric

Manufacturing –  Newport News Shipbuilding, Continental Automotive Systems, Liebherr, Fairlead Integrated, Canon, VA

Breaking ground on a program of this scope is a significant step towards achieving our mission of energizing the Peninsula’s automotive, construction, manufacturing economy by providing you the employers access to candidates during their Senior Year in High School.  1 Employer, 1 Job, 1 ATC Academy Graduate at a time!


Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Blitz  
Spearheaded by Tanya Rogers (Cosmetology II) and Mike Scott (HVAC), on Saturday October 7, 2017 approximately 50 students, teachers, administration, staff, and parents from the Butler Farm campus of New Horizons Regional Education Center took part in Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Blitz in the city of Hampton, VA.  Participants worked on two houses and assisted with tearing down and building a handicap accessible ramp, power washing, painting, planting flower beds, repairing a porch, and additional landscaping.  This was a great opportunity for New Horizons to come together and give back to the community.  Plans are now in the works to participate in a second Neighborhood Blitz, in the city of Newport News, VA in May of 2018.


early childhoodEarly Childhood Education – Success Story
The Early Childhood Education program participated in FCCLA’s National Program-Leadership Service by choosing to help out a family in need.  One of the preschoolers mother has breast cancer and the family moved out of their old house into another to accommodate her needs. The Early Childhood Education class asked the father how they could help and he jokingly he said they could help paint the inside of their old home. On Saturday, February 11, 2017 the family supplied the paint and the Early Childhood Education class supplied the rest of materials needed for the project. Approximately 25 Early Childhood FCCLA members, family, and friends painted the entire inside of the home from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Everyone enjoyed each other’s company while getting the painting task completed and giving back to the community.