Career Partners Receives Business-Education Partnership Award from Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Career Partners Receives Business-Education Partnership Award from Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

CULPEPER, Va. – Career Partners, Inc. was recognized with the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce's Business-Education Partnership Award at the Chamber's Annual Banquet on November 3, celebrating more than 25 years of connecting local businesses, educators, and community members to prepare Culpeper County students for future success.

The award recognizes an organization that has made a lasting impact on local education and workforce development through collaboration, innovation, and community involvement. For Career Partners, that impact can be seen in the thousands of students who participate in its programs each year, the hundreds of volunteers who share their time and expertise, and the local businesses that help bring classroom learning to life.

Founded in 2000, Career Partners is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping Culpeper County students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences needed to prepare for future careers. What began as a community-wide effort to ensure graduates were ready for life after high school has grown into a network of programs that reach students at every stage of their education, from elementary school through high school.

"Over the past 25 years, Career Partners has evolved from a more narrowly focused organization to one that provides opportunities for students from elementary through high school. That growth has been made possible in large part by increased support from local businesses, whose involvement helps students better understand the options available as they plan their futures. This partnership is unique to Culpeper, and Career Partners' programs have become an important part of our school year."
— Elizabeth Hutchins, School Board Member and Career Partners Board Member

Over the years, more than 100 businesses have participated in Career Partners programs through sponsorships, volunteer involvement, mentorship, and hands-on learning experiences. Together, these partnerships have created opportunities for students to explore careers, develop professional skills, and discover possibilities they may not have otherwise considered.

One of the organization's signature programs, E-Squared, has been inspiring entrepreneurial thinking among Culpeper County high school students for more than 15 years. Through the semester-long competition, students work in teams with local business coaches to develop business concepts, create business plans, and present their ideas to a panel of judges. Winning team members receive $10,000 scholarships, supported by community sponsors. To date, E-Squared has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to Culpeper students while giving participants practical experience in teamwork, critical thinking, business planning, and public speaking.

For some students, the experience extends well beyond the competition itself. Current Career Partners board member Bryce Harty participated in E-Squared as a Culpeper County High School student and has since returned to serve on board and help co-lead the E-Squared program committee.

"Participating in E-Squared was one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my high school years. Beyond the competition itself, the program introduced me to people in the Culpeper business community I otherwise may never have met and taught me that business acumen is valuable regardless of your industry, degree, or career path. Coming back to help lead the program has been incredibly rewarding, and it's exciting to play a part in providing those same opportunities to the next generation of students."
— Bryce Harty, Career Partners Board Member and E-Squared Program Committee CoLeader

"E-Squared challenged me in ways I hadn't experienced in the classroom before, but one of its most lasting impacts was the connections I made through the program. It was there that I met the person who would eventually offer me my first career position after college, a connection that helped bring me back home to the community I love. Today, I continue to serve Career Partners because I know there are students each year who experience one of our programs for the first time and discover an opportunity that could change their lives."
— Jason Ford, Career Partners Board Member and One-Stop Center Manager, Virginia Career Works – Culpeper Center

Career Partners also introduces students to the real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and math through its annual STEM Days at the Culpeper Regional Airport. Approximately 700 fifth-grade students participate each year, rotating through hands-on activities led by local businesses, educators, and community organizations. The annual Maker Energy Faire, hosted at the Culpeper Technical Education Center (CTEC), brings approximately 3,000 community members together each spring to explore technology, creativity, and innovation through interactive exhibits and demonstrations.

Preparing students for the workplace also means giving them opportunities to meet professionals, explore local industries, and practice the skills employers value. Career Partners' Mock Interview Program reaches every Culpeper County 11th grader, providing experience with job applications, resume preparation, and one-on-one interviews with local business and community volunteers. Across the fall and spring semesters, the program conducts more than 600 student interviews and welcomes nearly 100 volunteers over four interview days at the county's two high schools.

Career Exploration opportunities continue to expand as well. In October, approximately 240 high school and select middle school students participated in Healthcare Day, learning about careers and opportunities in the healthcare field. Manufacturing and Construction Day introduced 50 middle school students, 25 from each of the county's two middle schools, to local employers and career pathways in these industries. Career Partners hasalso helped bring career exploration directly into elementary classrooms. Last month, 57 CTEC students visited all six county elementary schools, leading hands-on activities and demonstrations for 535 first-grade students.

These experiences demonstrate that career readiness doesn't begin with a job application or high school graduation. It begins with curiosity, exposure, and opportunities to connect what students learn in the classroom with the world around them. Career Partners also supports educators through its Educators in the Workplace initiative, helping teachers and counselors better understand industry needs, workplace expectations, and the skills students will need in the future.

"Preparing young people for their futures requires more than what any one school, business, or organization can accomplish on its own. It takes a community working together. As the needs of our businesses and opportunities for our students continue to change, Career Partners has the relationships, experience, and commitment to bring education and industry together in new ways. We look forward to building on what we've started and continuing to create opportunities for the next generation."
— Ed Dalrymple, Jr., President, Career Partners of Culpeper

"I have been fortunate to be directly involved with Career Partners since July 2015, when I first came to Culpeper County Public Schools. From early on, I observed that Career Partners essentially functioned as an education foundation for our school division. Rather than establish a separate education foundation, the School Board and Career Partners Board supported expanding the organization's programming and reach within our schools. With the addition of new programs and opportunities over the years, Career Partners has grown to positively impact thousands of students and hundreds of teachers, making our schools better learning environments and our community a better place to live and raise a family."
— Dr. Tony Brads, Superintendent, Culpeper County Public Schools

The success of Career Partners is made possible through the continued involvement of local employers, business leaders, volunteers, educators, sponsors, and community partners who generously share their time, knowledge, and resources. From mentoring student entrepreneurs and participating in career exploration events to providing internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on learning experiences, these partnerships help students see how their education connects to real-world opportunities.

The award was accepted on behalf of Career Partners by current Board President Ed Dalrymple, Jr., along with former Board Chairs Jeff Say and Ashley Carter. Their presence represents the continued leadership and collective commitment that have helped sustain and grow the organization over the years.

The Business-Education Partnership Award recognizes more than the programs Career Partners offers. It reflects the commitment of a community that understands the importance of preparing its next generation of workers, leaders, and entrepreneurs. With more than 25 years of partnerships behind it, Career Partners looks forward to continuing to build connections between education and industry and creating new opportunities for Culpeper County students.

About Career Partners, Inc.
Career Partners, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 with a mission to equip Culpeper County students with the skills, confidence, and real-world experiences needed to prepare for future careers. Through partnerships with local businesses, schools, educators, and community volunteers, Career Partners delivers hands-on educational programs that promote career readiness, entrepreneurial thinking, and stronger connections between education and the workplace.