WRIC, TAYLA CUNNINGHAM 

Dozens of Goochland County high school students who are planning on going into the workforce and military following graduation were recognized Friday morning.

Forty-one students participated in Goochland High School’s Career and Technical Education signing day celebration event. The school offers programs and apprenticeships in welding, construction, culinary arts, JROTC and more.

Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) was a special guest speaker at the event, where she stressed the importance of high-skill workforce training, and discussed how Congress can promote increased opportunities for workforce development programs and public-private partnerships.

“From an economic perspective, it’s phenomenal that we have young people who from day one are going to be out and doing great jobs, serving their communities and being really engaged members of the workforce,” Spanberger said.

Seventy percent of Goochland students are enrolled in one or more technical programs.

“Just giving me those leadership skills, giving me those people skills, just seeing people in uniform, that really spoke to me,” said student Tiffany Vurdict, who is joining the Marine Corps. “When I was little, that’s when I said, ‘that’s what I want to do with my life.'”