2025-2026 Save the Date – calendar of meetings and student events
Registration for Building Partnerships for America’s Future on Friday, February 27, 2026 – Registration and program guide
Internship Micro-Credential for Business & Industry – free code VALEES_MC
Get involved in the VALEES region – Interest form for business and industry
Over 50% of high school students in the VALEES region are enrolled in at least one Career and Technical Education (CTE) course. CTE programs engage students in rigorous, complex, problem-based learning experiences. Students in CTE courses build academic skills, develop technical work-based skills and knowledge, including critically important employability skills, and thoughtfully consider career pathways along their journey to their future careers. Over 60% of the jobs in the U.S. require workers with technical skills.
Career and Technical Education programs in high school lead to successful careers and high satisfaction in school. Learn more here.
Early college credit may be earned through articulated credit agreements by successfully completing an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) high school course. Select the Early College Credit link for a listing of eligible high school and career center courses.
CTE roles are changing. There are many opportunities for women to start rewarding careers in fields once believed to be reserved for men only. If you are a young woman interested in entering a career field non-traditional by gender, please visit our Opportunities for Young Women page.
VALEES administers the Career and Technical Education Improvement (CTEI, state grant), Perkins (federal grant) and regional mini-grants. Select the grants link for grant guidelines, allocations, and application and reporting information.
1,262 – 9th grade students from East Aurora, West Aurora, Batavia and Kaneland High Schools had a career development experience with industry professionals in one of the 7 CCPE areas
67 – unique businesses or community organizations from the area Aurora sent industry professionals to engage with students
174 – total industry professionals were on hand throughout the day to engage with students
During the Career Day, 8th graders rotated through 4 industry professional presentations that aligned to the student’s career interest inventory results. Twenty-three industry professionals shared about their career pathway including hands on demonstrations, industry displays of real-world tools and equipment, “day in the life of” information, training and education needed in the field, opportunities and challenges in their industry and much more.
The attached photo recognizes all the industry professionals from the wider Kaneland community who gave their time to share their professional experiences with the 8th graders of KHMS in: Arts/AV/Technology, Architecture & Construction, Education, Government & Public Administration, Health Science, Human Services, Information Technology, Law & Public Safety, Sports Management, STEM and Transportation, Distribution and Logistics.
Five teams presented their design response for 10 minutes, answered industry professional questions for 5 minutes and received feedback. Industry professionals also reviewed all student personal portfolios during a gallery walk.
Industry partners supporting this event included: freelance designers Jessi Scurte and Josh Wilson, high school program alum and previous winners Sarah Anderson, Jessica Zambo, Dylan Zimmerman, community college partners Debra Kayes-Halpern and Jeannine McMillen (Waubonsee) and Elisa Hillock, Gautam Wadhwa, and Tracy Zungia (College of DuPage), and graphic design professionals from Aurora Fastprint, Steph Wheatley, Batavia Park District, Gail Gaboda, and Waubonsee Marketing and Communications, Meghan Edmonson.