2025 CTE Expo - Jefferson Forest High School
Participating in the CTE Expo means more than showing up. It means shaping futures.
When your business takes part, you're helping students connect what they're learning today with the opportunities of tomorrow. You're also strengthening partnerships with our local schools and investing in the future talent pipeline that drives our regional economy.
About CTE in Bedford County Public Schools
Career and technical education (CTE) provides students with the academic, technical, and real-world knowledge, skills, and experience they need to be prepared for a variety of career options. CTE programs are personalized, hands-on, and let students explore different career fields, such as manufacturing, human services, information technology, and more. In addition to the 15 pathways offered at Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center, Bedford County Public Schools boasts over 60 CTE courses, with each high school offering a variety of "career clusters." Learn more about CTE at Bedford County Public Schools.
About the CTE Expo
Since 2017, the CTE Expo has been a partnership between the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and Bedford County Public Schools (BCPS).
In 2025, 8th graders will visit their respective high schools for their own personalized CTE Expo over the course of 3 days. We hope to maximize student impact by connecting courses specifically offered at their high school (or SGSTC, etc.); help 8th graders choose 9th grade classes and make educational decisions based off their future interests; and demonstrate the strength of CTE at each BCPS high school to our local business community.
The CTE Expo will take place from 9:30AM-12:00PM on the following days:
- Tuesday, December 9 @ Jefferson Forest High School
- Wednesday, December 10 @ Liberty High School
- Thursday, December 11 @ Staunton River High School
How does the CTE Expo work?
The CTE Expo will take place in the gym, where CTE teachers and/or star students will be paired with professionals whose businesses align with their programs. Professionals and instructors will connect prior to the event and develop a 5-10 minute hands-on demonstration or activity for a group of ~10 students. During the event, a professional and a student/instructor representing their respective industry will be stationed together in the gym. 8th graders will rotate through each pairing on a predetermined path/schedule.
The teacher/student and professional will walk the students through the activity/demonstration together. The student/instructor will share information about their program: “You’ll learn this, this, and this. These are some of the projects I’ve done, the class size and environment are like this. You’ll get this certification and could use these skills for these jobs.”
The professional will share information about their job: “The student/instructor mentioned this skill and this certification – I use both daily. My job consists of this, this, and this. My education is this. The pay range is between this and this. You’d probably like this job if you like this, this, and this.”
What career clusters are offered at Jefferson Forest High School?
While we are not necessarily limited to solely exhibiting businesses that fit the career clusters listed below, we do want to ensure that each cluster is represented at this event in order to provide 8th graders with a comprehensive look at how their high school can help them achieve their future goals.
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture & Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Business Management & Administration
- Finance
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Marketing
My business wants to participate. How do we sign-up?
We're so glad you want to get involved! Please contact Foster Garrett, Dir. of Marketing & Events for the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce, regarding your interest in participating, sponsoring, and/or volunteering at the CTE Expo. She can be reached at marketing@baccva.org or (540) 586-9401.
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Date and Time
Tuesday Dec 9, 2025
9:30 AM - 12:00 PM EST
The CTE Expo will take place over 3 days at each Bedford County high school.
Tuesday, December 9 @ Jefferson Forest High School
Wednesday, December 10 @ Liberty High School
Thursday, December 11 @ Staunton River High School
Location
Jefferson Forest High School
1 Cavalier Circle, Forest, VA
