New Horizons Career & Technical Education Center

Auto Technology is a two-year program that prepares students to become entry-level auto technicians. Both years of the program are dual enrolled with Thomas Nelson Community College. Automotive manufacturers and local dealerships sponsor the Automotive Youth Education System at New Horizons. This program offers employment opportunities with dealerships for students who qualify and are selected during the spring semester of their first year. It also ensures that students have ASE master certified instructors, latest service equipment and current model cars so they receive top-quality instruction using the latest technology. Students who are selected for Summer Mentorship opportunities receive hands-on training in service departments of sponsoring dealers under the supervision of experienced technicians.

Students who are interested in working professionally with young children (e.g., medical, social services, and education) may enroll in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) one-year program. Critical thinking, practical problem solving, and entrepreneurship opportunities within the field of early childhood education are emphasized. Practical experiences (ex: on-site lab, local daycare centers, elementary schools, other institutions) under the supervision of the instructor are required.

Upon successful completion of this two-year program, students are expected to take the Commonwealth of Virginia State Cosmetology or Barbering examination in order to become licensed practitioners. Students gain daily practical experiences working on other students and during their second year have the opportunity to provide services to patrons in a clinical setting. Cosmetology/Barbering students can also earn SOL credit for use toward the elective credit upon successfully passing the NOCTI Credentialing Exam and/or the State Licensing exam.

Culinary Arts is a two-year program that prepares students to enter employment in food service occupations. Instruction focuses on sanitation, nutrition, food preparation, purchasing, and inventory control in addition to food presentation and service. Students plan menus, prepare food and use a variety of kitchen equipment such as ovens, grills, broilers, slicers, grinders, and blenders.

This is a two-year program in which students receive training along the lines of Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding and Liebherr Mining Equipment welding schools. Students learn to set up welding equipment and do minor repairs, participate in building a variety of projects, network with people in the welding field and compete in district and state welding competitions.

Cybersecurity Systems Technology is a one year program where students enter the world of computer technology and gain practical experience in assembling a computer system. Students will install, configure, and secure various operating systems and troubleshoot computers using system tools and diagnostic software. Students will gain a basic understanding of emerging technologies including unified communications, mobile, cloud, and virtualization technologies and explore basic network design and connectivity, network documentation, network limitations and weaknesses, and network security, standards, and protocols. This course prepares students for postsecondary education and training in a successful career in information technology.

Students in this one-year program are preparing for many of the exciting, challenging and rewarding careers in the criminal justice field. These opportunities require people who want to operate in both high energy and high-tech fluid environments filled with constant challenges and service commitments. Students will study the history of and types of law enforcement requirements as they gain an understanding of local, state and federal law enforcement departments and jurisdictions. Students will learn about and use some of the newest technology in the criminal justice field as they undertake and engage in crime scene investigations. Some of the finest local state, federal and private sector industry professionals provide classroom presentations and hands on training opportunities. Students will also learn about the court system and corrections.

Electricity and Renewable Energy is a 1-year program that teaches the basic concepts used by electricians to install, maintain and repair wiring, equipment and fixtures, and navigation of the National Electrical Code Book. Students in this program will also explore alternative renewable energy sources and will learn to install hydrogen fuel cells, solar panels and communication cable and wiring. As our electricity and alternative renewable energy resource needs continue to grow, so will the career opportunities in this field. Because we depend so much on electricity and other energy sources for the way we live and work, careers in this field will always be in high demand.

Emergency Medical Technicians are part of one of the three public safety divisions (EMS, Fire & Law Enforcement). Their job includes the daily routine of dealing with crisis, trauma, hazardous materials, illness, injuries and the training to handle mass causality situations, disaster management and terrorism awareness. The work they do often means the difference between life and death. Although the job can be stressful, EMT’s and Paramedics enjoy the challenge and excitement of their jobs and view them as an opportunity to make a real difference. This one-year program meets the sequential elective requirement. Juniors who successfully complete EMT may be invited to return as a senior for EMT II. There are a very limited number of EMT II seats.

This two-year program prepares students to perform all the tasks of a Dental Assistant. These tasks include exposing, processing and mounting x-rays, preparing materials for various procedures including impressions, removing sutures, placing topical anesthetics and making diagnostic study models for alginate impressions. This program also gives students a foundation to pursue the Dental Hygienist post-secondary degree through a two or four-year college.

Firefighters are one of the three public safety divisions (EMS, Fire & Law Enforcement). The one-year Fire Fighter program introduces students to the exciting career field of Fire Fighting. This would also require the successful completion of EMT-B (see page 25). This course meets the sequential elective requirement. This new program includes the opportunity to earn both the Fire Fighter I and II certifications through the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Due to this, students will be required to attend some training after school and on some weekends. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory for those pursuing the fire fighter certification.

In this one-year program, students are taught the skills necessary for employment in the areas of heating and related climate control systems. Throughout the program, students gain daily practical experience in all aspects of air conditioning and also have the opportunity to receive refrigeration certification.

This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to both business administration and clinical duties of a medical office. Instruction in the business aspect includes: insurance reporting, office accounting, processing medical records, and medical transcription. Clinical instruction includes: preparation of the patient for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, and use of the electrocardiograph machine. Medical Assistant is a one-year program but, it still meets the sequential elective requirement.

This course prepares students for employment as a Nurse’s Aide/Home Health Aide, and/or for entry into a practical nursing program as well as other health occupations. Students will receive clinical training in a local nursing home. This is a one-year program. Upon successful completion of the program, students meeting the standard established by the State Board of Nursing and New Horizons are eligible to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program examination to become a Certified Nurse Aide in Virginia.

With our average population increasing in age, prescription medications are rapidly growing in their importance in the health-care industry. Those in the industry on the Virginia Peninsula have identified Pharmacy Technician as their number one area of employment need. In the next several years, job growth for pharmacy technicians will be twice the average for all occupations in Virginia. The New Horizons program will provide students an in-depth exposure to the pharmaceutical industry. It will assist students in becoming skilled in preparing/dispensing prescriptions, compounding medications, preparing intravenous medications, stocking medications and repackaging medications. The Pharmacy Technician Program is a one-year (two-semester class) course. Students will be prepared to take the Virginia Pharmacy Technician Exam and be fully licensed within Virginia.

Students in Veterinary Science learn how to respect, safely handle and treat classroom animals. The students come to understand the various breeds and species of animals and are able to identify basic requirements for veterinary care and general health maintenance. The students receive training in handling, grooming, feeding and properly medicating a variety of animals. In addition, animal nutrition, disease and basic first aid are explored. Students also perform the routine technical, maintenance and office duties associated with veterinary work. This one-year program meets the sequential elective requirement.

Physical/Occupational Therapy is a one year program designed to provide an introduction to the professions of physical and occupational therapy. Students explore the principles and practices of therapists in the health care industry and participate in clinical observation under the direct supervision of a licensed physical and/or occupational therapist. Clinical skills in the area of physical therapy and occupational therapy enable student to gain understanding of rehabilitative care, which is practices throughout the continuum of care and across the life span of individuals. After successful completion of this course, student may seek higher education for specific degrees/licensure in a variety of fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sports medicine, athletic training, chiropractic medicine, biology, or exercise science.

This is a one-year program that trains our future builders. Students develop the skills necessary for employment in the construction field. Throughout the program, students gain skills daily through practical experiences using hand and power tools. Students also participate in several building projects, and have partnerships with NASA and York/Poquoson Master Gardeners. Students who successfully complete Construction I & II may be invited to return for Construction III (#8603).

This industry designed course will allow students to focus on computer science and apply key programming concepts, algorithmic procedures, programming languages, and web based applications. In the Advanced Programming course, students will use object-oriented programming to design and develop database and multimedia programs and applications. The class is dual enrolled for 6 college credits at Thomas Nelson Community College.

This is a one-year program offered at Butler Farm Campus through a partnership with TNCC. This course will lead to industry certification and prepares students for manufacturing jobs as electrical/mechanical or mechatronics technicians who design, install, maintain, repair, or troubleshoot manufacturing systems that include electrical and mechanical equipment, instrumentation, controls, and automation. This class is dual enrolled with TNCC for 22 college credits.

Students in this program are preparing for careers in this field through the use of the latest technologies and state of the art equipment. Throughout the program, students gain daily practical experience by working on vehicles. Each student will become familiar with the latest finishes, from single-stage to multi-stage finishes. Selected students may be eligible for work experiences at local repair facilities. Also, ASE certifications will be available through this program. Students who successfully complete Collision and Repair I & II may be invited to return for Collision and Repair III.

Precision Machining is a one year program that provides an introduction to students on using precision tools and instruments to include operation and setup of various types of precision grinders, milling machines, and drill presses. There is also a focus on computer numerical control program writing, setup, and operation for lathe and milling machines. Students who successfully complete the Precision Machining program will be eligible for a VPCC Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate upon graduation.