Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center

What Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center does

Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC), operating as Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center, is a regional career and technical education center founded in 1973 and operated by Charlottesville City Schools under Virginia public education governance. The institution delivers nine accredited high school trade programs — Auto Service Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electricity, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Science, Nurse Assistant, and Veterinary Science — alongside adult education and registered apprenticeship programs. Curriculum is delivered through hands-on training in simulated workplace environments, including small animal veterinary hospitals, automotive repair shops, construction labs, culinary kitchens, and healthcare training facilities, and is integrated with industry-recognized certifications (ASE/NATEF, NCCER, VDFP, Virginia Board of Nursing, ServSafe, NREMT) and dual-enrollment college credits averaging 11 per completing student.

CATEC serves 300+ high school students annually drawn primarily from Charlottesville City Schools, Albemarle County Public Schools, and Fluvanna County Public Schools, with transportation provided to the main campus at 1000 East Rio Road, Charlottesville, Virginia. The organization also runs adult education and apprenticeship programs serving 200+ apprentices per semester, approved by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. High school programs are free to students from partner districts, while adult education generates revenue through course fees with scholarships administered by the Trades and Technical Education Foundation. Go-to-market is sales-led and partnership-driven: recruitment flows through base school counselors, while adult programs are marketed through community partnerships, the Adult Education office, and workforce development partners including Virginia Career Works. Outcomes are anchored by the annual School-to-Work Signing Day, which in 2026 celebrated 27 student employment commitments across 20 local employers spanning healthcare, automotive, and personal services.

Name

Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center

Legal name

Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center

Website

https://catec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CATEC is a regional career and technical education center in Charlottesville, Virginia, operated by Charlottesville City Schools. It delivers nine accredited trade programs to 300+ high school students and 200+ adult apprentices annually, integrating industry certifications and dual-enrollment college credits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nursing Assistant (CNA) & Patient Care Technician (PCT) (EDAOAJAB), Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Career technical education
• Vocational training programs
• Apprenticeship programs
• Workforce skills training
• Industry certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlottesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding: CATEC is operated by Charlottesville City Schools as a regional technical education center. Funding comes from public school allocations for high school programs offered free to students from partner school districts.
2. Adult Education and Apprenticeship Fees: Adult education and apprenticeship programs generate revenue through course fees paid by adult learners. Scholarships are available through the Trades and Technical Education Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CATEC is a regional career and technical education center that delivers nine hands-on high school trade programs (Auto Service Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electricity, EMT, Fire Science, Nurse Assistant, Veterinary Science) plus Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs serving 200+ apprentices per semester. Programs integrate industry-recognized certifications (ASE, NCCER, VDFP, Virginia Board of Nursing) with dual-enrollment college credits averaging 11 per student, and connect graduates directly to local employers through a School-to-Work Signing Day event.

Product overview

CATEC is a regional technical education center operated by Charlottesville City Schools offering vocational training programs. The institution provides 9 distinct high school trade programs (Auto Service Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electricity, EMT, Fire Science, Nurse Assistant, Veterinary Science) delivering hands-on skills training with industry certifications and dual-enrollment college credits. Adult Education and Apprenticeship programs serve 200+ apprentices per semester. Career Strategies and Workplace Readiness curriculum is embedded across all programs. The offerings function as an integrated pathway from high school technical education through adult apprenticeship training and directly into local employment, supported by community business partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auto Service Technology Two-year ASE/NATEF-accredited automotive repair program teaching engine assembly, transmissions, brakes, electrical systems, and safety. Prepares high school students for ASE certification and Virginia State Inspection License.
• Carpentry Construction trades program teaching hand and power tools, blueprint reading, residential framing, and OSHA-10 safety. Students earn NCCER Level 1 Carpentry certification.
• Cosmetology Two-year cosmetology program covering hair, skin, and nails care. Prepares students for Virginia Board of Cosmetology licensure examination with training in color, cutting, styling, facials, and manicures/pedicures.
• Culinary Arts Two-year culinary program covering knife skills, cooking methods, food safety, sanitation, and menu development. Students earn ServSafe Food Handler certification.
• Electricity Electrical training covering residential, commercial, and industrial systems, National Electrical Code, conductors, panel boards, and generators. Students earn NCCER Core, NCCER Level 1 Electricity credentials, and OSHA-10 certification.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Health sciences program teaching anatomy, patient triage, airway management, and emergency care as part of the Health and Medical Sciences Academy. Prepares students for NREMT and Virginia EMT certification.
• Fire Science Firefighting program covering live fire combat, hazardous materials, search-and-rescue, and incident command systems. Students earn VDFP Firefighter I/II certification and dual-enrollment CVCC credits.
• Nurse Assistant Nursing program with clinical placements in local medical facilities. Prepares students for Virginia Board of Nursing CNA examination and American Red Cross BLS certification.
• Veterinary Science Small animal care program in simulated veterinary hospital with on-site visits. Students earn American Allied Health Veterinary Assistant Certification and dual-enrollment credits through BRCC.
• Adult Education and Apprenticeship Programs Post-secondary technical education for adults including apprenticeship training approved by Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Serves 200+ apprentices per semester with related technical instruction and scholarship opportunities through the Trades and Technical Education Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ high school students served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SkillsUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2025National career and technical student organization. CATEC hosts annual District SkillsUSA Competitions for students from multiple technical centers in the region, allowing students to practice skills and compete for state competition spots.
• UVA Health Pegasus Ground and Pegasus AirminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024Critical care emergency services visiting CATEC to provide students in EMT, Fire Science, and Nurse Assistant programs with hands-on exposure to emergency professionals and specialized equipment.
• Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center (ECC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2024Emergency dispatch center that spoke with CATEC students about emergency dispatch protocol and its relationship with ambulance services at hospitals during Critical Care Services event.
• Hospice of the PiedmontminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2024Community partner that donated raffle items for CATEC's 50th Anniversary Celebration event.
• Flow AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2024Community partner that donated raffle items for CATEC's 50th Anniversary Celebration event.
• Carter Meyer AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2024Community partner that donated raffle items for CATEC's 50th Anniversary Celebration event.
• Charlottesville Fire DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 September 2024Community partner that donated raffle items for CATEC's 50th Anniversary Celebration event.
• Piedmont Virginia Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual-enrollment partnership allowing CATEC students to earn free college credits while in high school. Students average 11 dual-enrollment credits through this partnership.
• Central Virginia Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual-enrollment partnership providing college credits for Fire Science, EMT, and Veterinary Science programs. Fire Science students can earn 12 college credits through CVCC courses.
• Trades and Technical Education FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) non-profit supporting skilled trades education. Provides scholarships for graduating students and adults, industry-specific tools and equipment valued at $150 per student at Signing Day events, and advocacy for career and technical education.
• Virginia Career Works - Piedmont RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional workforce development system connecting career seekers and employers. Serves 11 localities including Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Helps facilitate community partnerships and provides event support for School-to-Work Signing Day.
• Virginia Department of Labor and IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that approves CATEC's apprenticeship programs. Provides required related technical instruction hours for full apprenticeship programs and regulates apprenticeship standards.
• Porsche CharlottesvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuto dealership partnership providing CATEC students shadowing opportunities with Porsche Certified Technicians on classic Porsche restoration projects. Students participate in the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge.
• Red Wing ShoesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual sponsor of School-to-Work Signing Day event, providing each student participant with a $175 gift card for industry-appropriate footwear and accessories.
• Better Living Building SupplyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal building supply company founded in 1893. Donated thousands of dollars worth of lumber (19 hacks of 2x4s and 2x6s) to support CATEC Carpentry program student projects.
• University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement partner for Auto Service Technology program, providing pathways for students to continue automotive education.
• Universal Technical Institute (UTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement partner for Auto Service Technology program, providing pathways for students to continue automotive education.
• Nashville Auto Diesel College (NADC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement partner for Auto Service Technology program, providing pathways for students to continue automotive education.
• CATEC Online Certificates and CoursesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline learning platform partnership providing adult education courses delivered digitally.
• UGotClassminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline learning platform partnership providing adult education certificate courses through CATEC.
• Local Advisory Board MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner50+ local businesses participating in Advisory Board meetings that provide guidance on curriculum, industry needs, work-based learning opportunities, and job placement. Advisory Boards meet twice yearly to align programs with employer requirements.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Universal Technical Institute: National for-profit vocational school chain specializing in automotive, diesel, and skilled-trades training; competes for adult apprenticeship and tuition-paying students while also serving as a CATEC articulation partner.
• ECPI University: For-profit career-focused university with health sciences, technology, and trades-adjacent programs competing in the same Virginia/Mid-Atlantic adult-learner market.
• Lincoln Tech: National for-profit vocational training operator with automotive, HVAC, electrical, and healthcare programs that directly compete for adult learners in skilled trades.

Direct peers

• Central Virginia Community College: Dual-enrollment partner providing Fire Science, EMT, and Veterinary Science college credits to CATEC students; offers comparable CTE credentials in the same regional labor market.
• Piedmont Virginia Community College: Regional community college and CATEC's primary dual-enrollment partner, offering overlapping CTE programs (automotive, electrical, nursing, culinary) to the same Charlottesville-area student and adult population through credit articulation agreements.

Others

• SkillsUSA: National CTE student organization that CATEC partners with for district competitions; functions as ecosystem peer for any secondary CTE center in the U.S. technical education network.
• Virginia Department of Labor and Industry: State regulatory body that approves CATEC's apprenticeship programs and sets related technical instruction standards; functions as institutional reference point for Virginia's apprenticeship ecosystem.
• Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region: Regional workforce development board covering 11 localities including Charlottesville; serves as both CATEC partner and adjacent workforce-development intermediary with overlapping employer relationships.

Emerging players

• New Horizons Computer Learning Centers: Adult vocational and certification training provider for IT, project management, and skilled-trade-adjacent credentials; competes with CATEC's adult education fee-based programs.

Regional players

• Blue Ridge Community College: Regional Virginia community college offering workforce and technical credential programs overlapping with CATEC's skilled-trades portfolio to a similar Virginia catchment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CATEChs
• Facebookfacebook.com/Catec-Charlottesville-Albemarle-Te

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center