A Governor’s Academy for Career and Technical Education focused on advanced academic and technical skills

A Governor’s Academy: focused on Advanced Academic and Technical Skills

Welcome to the Governor's Academy for Innovation, Technology and Engineering (GAITE) with the initial Academy of Engineering Technology providing career pathways in Electrical Engineering Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology.

The Greater Peninsula is one of the initial six Virginia sites, selected by the Department of Education in 2008, to implement Governor Kaine's "Governor's Academy for Career and Technology Education." This initiative is to prepare innovators and technologists for Virginia's workforce, especially in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

GAITE is designed to provide an academy focused on advanced academic and technical skills in each of the six Greater Peninsula school divisions (Gloucester County, Hampton City, Newport News City, Poquoson City, Williamsburg-James City County, York County). GAITE is coordinated by New Horizons Regional Education Centers, the largest and oldest regional education center in the state, and operated by the six greater Peninsula school divisions:

GAITE’s initial focus is in Engineering Technology:

  • Electrical Engineering Technology (EET)
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET)

Engineering Technology provides high growth and high compensation occupations on the Greater Peninsula and for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Graduates of the Academy will have earned industry credentials and/or transferable college credits to TNCC, ODU and Northrop Grumman Apprentice School.  Graduates will also receive employment consideration with NASA, Northrop Grumman, Canon, Alcoa Howmet and other local businesses upon completion of college training.

GAITE involves partners from education, business, postsecondary education, and non-profit organizations.

GAITE Director and Contact Information: Mrs. Vikki Wismer, 757-766-1100 Ext: 3313, vikki.wismer@nhrec.org

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