Henrico County, VA — Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) has announced a $25,000 donation from Kokosing Construction to support the expansion of the Hermitage High School Advanced Career Education (ACE) Center. The donation will help fund the construction of a second floor at the school’s career education facility, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in both construction and healthcare.
On Monday, April 7, school officials gathered with representatives from Kokosing Construction to celebrate the partnership and the impact it will have on the district’s vocational education programs. The new floor will be constructed by students at the ACE Center, who will apply their carpentry and contracting skills to the building project, providing them with valuable real-world experience.
Currently, the ACE Center’s first floor is home to a variety of programs, including auto repair, cybersecurity, and baking. The second floor, designed specifically for healthcare-related programs, will be transformed into labs and instructional spaces for students pursuing careers in medical fields. The development of the new floor comes at a critical time as the healthcare industry is expected to see a massive increase in job openings. A recent study projects that by 2030, there will be over 10.8 million medical job openings worldwide.
“There’s going to be a shortage of healthcare professionals in the coming years,” said Mac Beaton, HCPS Workforce and Career Development Director. “If we’re not exposing young people to these opportunities, there’s going to be no one to take care of you when you go to the doctor or the hospital. This is about opening doors for our students to get into careers sooner, and we need that to meet future demand.”
The construction project was intentionally designed with a unique twist. The second floor of the building was left unfinished by the original developers, allowing students to take part in the construction process. The ACE Center’s carpentry students will work alongside their peers in other technical fields, gaining experience while also contributing to the creation of a state-of-the-art medical learning space.
Sky Allen, a former student of the ACE Center’s contracting program, shared her personal experience during the announcement ceremony. Allen, who always knew she wanted to avoid a traditional office job, praised the hands-on education she received through the program. “It gave me an opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” Allen explained. “I learned to read blueprints, understand building codes, and work alongside professionals in the field. Who knows where I’d be without the ACE Center?”
The construction project will unfold in two phases. The first phase is set to be completed by December 2025, while the second phase is scheduled to wrap up in September 2027. When finished, the new medical education floor will provide students with advanced training in areas like nursing, medical technology, and pharmacy, giving them a head start in the growing healthcare industry.
In addition to providing students with a valuable learning experience, the project also benefits the community at large by creating a pipeline of skilled workers ready to fill vital roles in construction, healthcare, and beyond.
Henrico County Public Schools’ innovative approach to career and technical education is setting a strong example of how partnerships with local businesses can help equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
