Technical and Career Education Center

This one-year course offers instruction in design and maintenance techniques for the landscaping and greenhouse professions. Students study the use, growth and proper care of plants, ground covers, trees and shrubs. An emphasis is placed on learning design techniques for landscaping and the drawing to scale of landscape plans. Students learn how to grow various herbaceous, ornamental and woody plants used in the industry. Students also study the use, growth, and proper care of plants, ground covers, trees and shrubs for landscaping, as well as turf management. Proper use of landscape tools and equipment is included. Students will gain additional employment skills by having the opportunity to participate in local internships.

In this two-year program, students learn the theory and practical applications of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment servicing. This course covers safety, soldering, brazing, piping, electrical circuits, troubleshooting, refrigerants, compressors, heat pumps, central air units, window units, ice makers, refrigerators, and oil, gas and electric furnaces.

In this two-year program, students learn the theory and practical applications of air conditioning, refrigeration and heating equipment servicing. This course covers safety, soldering, brazing, piping, electrical circuits, troubleshooting, refrigerants, compressors, heat pumps, central air units, window units, ice makers, refrigerators, and oil, gas and electric furnaces.

This two-year program provides an in-depth study of the automobile and its operating systems including the study of engine repair, engine performance, electricity/electronics, brakes, steering, and suspension. In the classroom students will study automotive theory and apply these principles to practical use in the lab. The program prepares graduates to pursue ASE certification as well as provides them the opportunity to participate in the AYES (Automotive Youth Educational Systems) program, which begins with an internship in the summer of their junior year.

This two-year program provides an in-depth study of the automobile and its operating systems including the study of engine repair, engine performance, electricity/electronics, brakes, steering, and suspension. In the classroom students will study automotive theory and apply these principles to practical use in the lab. The program prepares graduates to pursue ASE certification as well as provides them the opportunity to participate in the AYES (Automotive Youth Educational Systems) program, which begins with an internship in the summer of their junior year.

In this one-year course students work with brick and block on full-sized projects in the lab, on campus and at construction sites. Students learn to use, care for and safely handle the tools, machinery, equipment and materials commonly used in the masonry trade. Activities involve laying brick, building walls and columns and planning and constructing a variety of structures. The masonry program also includes working with stone, concrete and interlock paving.

This course prepares students for employment in the cosmetology field. The curriculum includes learning how to shampoo, cut, style, condition and color hair. Students will receive instruction in giving permanent waves, chemical relaxers, natural hair styling, manicures and pedicures. Instruction also includes beauty salon management and personality development. Students will study many areas of science to include: anatomy and physiology, infection control and bacteriology, skin disorders and diseases, skin structure growth and nutrition, nail disorders and diseases, hair and scalp disorders and diseases, chemistry and electricity. The students will also learn acrylic and UV gel nail application, waxing, facials and makeup application for natural, dramatic and corrective effects. Students may go on to work as a licensed cosmetologist, salon manager/owner or as demonstrators and/or salespersons for manufacturers and dealers. Certifications: Professional Cosmetology License from the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology/Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

This course prepares students for employment in the cosmetology field. The curriculum includes learning how to shampoo, cut, style, condition and color hair. Students will receive instruction in giving permanent waves, chemical relaxers, natural hair styling, manicures and pedicures. Instruction also includes beauty salon management and personality development. Students will study many areas of science to include: anatomy and physiology, infection control and bacteriology, skin disorders and diseases, skin structure growth and nutrition, nail disorders and diseases, hair and scalp disorders and diseases, chemistry and electricity. The students will also learn acrylic and UV gel nail application, waxing, facials and makeup application for natural, dramatic and corrective effects. Students may go on to work as a licensed cosmetologist, salon manager/owner or as demonstrators and/or salespersons for manufacturers and dealers. Certifications: Professional Cosmetology License from the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology/Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

This program covers safety, wiring, terminology, electrical floor plan layouts and the National Electric Code. Students are instructed in the installation of all power and lighting circuits, including 200-amp service and the materials used in new construction. Students gain practical experience troubleshooting electrical problems and reading blueprints.

Students in this exciting course will build, test and design electronic circuits. They will also learn computer programming skills, work with 3D modeling software as well as 3D printers and develop cell phone apps. In the Robotics facet of the course, students will develop high-tech robotics projects such as quadcopters and fully functional robots that connect mechanics, pneumatics and electronics together. The course is structured with lessons and class discussions, hands-on demonstrations, hands-on lab activities and personally developed projects. Computer integration is a key part of instruction and is a fundamental tool in this classroom. Students in the program are involved in several annual competitions that will test their skill and engineering ability as they develop projects to meet specified criteria. This course is also a dual-enrollment course with Tidewater Community College and students can earn college credit during this course of study. Students receive instruction in the proper use of hand tools and test equipment, soldering techniques, interpretation of schematic diagrams, basic electronic theory, solid-state theory, communication theory, microcomputer and micro-processor theory, digital electronics and robotics. The course is broken into three distinct phases: lesson demonstration and/or discussions, lab activities and projects culminating with students designing and building robots to participate in the STEM Robotics Challenge at the end of each school year.

Students in this exciting course will build, test and design electronic circuits. They will also learn computer programming skills, work with 3D modeling software as well as 3D printers and develop cell phone apps. In the Robotics facet of the course, students will develop high-tech robotics projects such as quadcopters and fully functional robots that connect mechanics, pneumatics and electronics together. The course is structured with lessons and class discussions, hands-on demonstrations, hands-on lab activities and personally developed projects. Computer integration is a key part of instruction and is a fundamental tool in this classroom. Students in the program are involved in several annual competitions that will test their skill and engineering ability as they develop projects to meet specified criteria. This course is also a dual-enrollment course with Tidewater Community College and students can earn college credit during this course of study. Students receive instruction in the proper use of hand tools and test equipment, soldering techniques, interpretation of schematic diagrams, basic electronic theory, solid-state theory, communication theory, microcomputer and micro-processor theory, digital electronics and robotics. The course is broken into three distinct phases: lesson demonstration and/or discussions, lab activities and projects culminating with students designing and building robots to participate in the STEM Robotics Challenge at the end of each school year.

This one-year course covers a wide variety of plumbing and heating applications. Students in the class learn about plumbing, piping, residential and commercial installations, hydronic heating, controls and solar technologies. A part of the course deals with pipe drafting and plan layout. Students will learn in a state-of-the-art lab and even help build a real house that is sold to benefit the Education Foundation. Graduates of this program are eligible for apprenticeship in the Plumbing and Heating trade as second-year apprentices.

This one-year course provides instruction in the skills necessary for employment in the home building industry. Students learn the use and maintenance of hand and power tools utilized in the field of carpentry. The kinds, grades, and characteristics of building materials are covered in depth, as well as the proper method of cutting, shaping and joining. This course also includes reading blueprints, building foundations, framing floors, walls, stairs, roofs, installing windows and doors and applying exterior and interior finishes.

This two-year course combines lab experience with related instruction. Students learn to identify and understand the composition of metals as well as to fabricate various projects. They practice oxyacetylene welding and burning, electric arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and plasma-arc cutting. Related studies include blueprint reading, applied mathematics and weld symbols.

This two-year course combines lab experience with related instruction. Students learn to identify and understand the composition of metals as well as to fabricate various projects. They practice oxyacetylene welding and burning, electric arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, gas metal arc welding and plasma-arc cutting. Related studies include blueprint reading, applied mathematics and weld symbols.

This two-year program covers all aspects of auto body repair from estimating to a complete paint job. Students learn to analyze different types of body damage and to restore vehicles to their original appearance. Students will be taught to weld, straighten a frame, repair fiberglass, use plastic filler, complete hand and power sanding, spray paint and replace movable glass. Students also are trained on a computerized paint mixing system to custom mix paint.

This two-year program covers all aspects of auto body repair from estimating to a complete paint job. Students learn to analyze different types of body damage and to restore vehicles to their original appearance. Students will be taught to weld, straighten a frame, repair fiberglass, use plastic filler, complete hand and power sanding, spray paint and replace movable glass. Students also are trained on a computerized paint mixing system to custom mix paint.

This is a two-year course for individuals interested in the television industry. In the first year of this program, students operate as an actual production team in a TV studio. Students are introduced to video production with an emphasis on studio production as students create and design many different programs. Students function as directors, audio operators, camera operators, technical directors and on-screen performers. This class emphasizes live, in-studio production. The second year introduces students to field production and editing. Students will produce documentaries, commercials, dramatic programs, newscasts and fictional pieces. Students have the opportunity to go on location throughout Virginia Beach and to work at VBTV Channel 48 and other internship experiences.

This is a two-year course for individuals interested in the television industry. In the first year of this program, students operate as an actual production team in a TV studio. Students are introduced to video production with an emphasis on studio production as students create and design many different programs. Students function as directors, audio operators, camera operators, technical directors and on-screen performers. This class emphasizes live, in-studio production. The second year introduces students to field production and editing. Students will produce documentaries, commercials, dramatic programs, newscasts and fictional pieces. Students have the opportunity to go on location throughout Virginia Beach and to work at VBTV Channel 48 and other internship experiences.

The Public Safety Program is a two-year course of study designed to introduce students to possible careers in the field of Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting and Emergency Medical Services. Through a combination of classroom and practical learning modalities, students will learn all of the core ideals police, fire and rescue departments are seeking in qualified candidates. Students will study how to: recover evidence from a crime scene, investigate traffic accidents, fight fires, practice first aid skills and apply the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia as it relates to the field of law enforcement. Students will participate in a variety of field trips to experience the assorted career paths in the field of Public Safety. Students will learn the intellectual and physical challenges that face police, fire and paramedic personnel and will have the opportunity to become EMT-B and CPR for Health Care Professionals certified.

The Public Safety Program is a two-year course of study designed to introduce students to possible careers in the field of Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting and Emergency Medical Services. Through a combination of classroom and practical learning modalities, students will learn all of the core ideals police, fire and rescue departments are seeking in qualified candidates. Students will study how to: recover evidence from a crime scene, investigate traffic accidents, fight fires, practice first aid skills and apply the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia as it relates to the field of law enforcement. Students will participate in a variety of field trips to experience the assorted career paths in the field of Public Safety. Students will learn the intellectual and physical challenges that face police, fire and paramedic personnel and will have the opportunity to become EMT-B and CPR for Health Care Professionals certified.

This two-year program will introduce students to small engines, motorcycle and marine basics and the knowledge and skills required to service and repair small engines. Students will learn in a state-of-the-art lab on Toro mowers and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and students will even have the opportunity to earn the highly regarded EETC 2-stroke and 4-stroke certifications. The course will also prepare students to service 2 and 4 stroke engines by providing in-depth knowledge of drive lines, hydraulics, hydrostatic transmissions and electrical systems. Students will have the opportunity to become power equipment certified by passing the Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) third party examination. The certification is recognized and accepted by the Small Engines industry.

This two-year program will introduce students to small engines, motorcycle and marine basics and the knowledge and skills required to service and repair small engines. Students will learn in a state-of-the-art lab on Toro mowers and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and students will even have the opportunity to earn the highly regarded EETC 2-stroke and 4-stroke certifications. The course will also prepare students to service 2 and 4 stroke engines by providing in-depth knowledge of drive lines, hydraulics, hydrostatic transmissions and electrical systems. Students will have the opportunity to become power equipment certified by passing the Equipment and Engine Training Council (EETC) third party examination. The certification is recognized and accepted by the Small Engines industry.