ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center celebrated its graduating students entering the workforce with a School-to-Work Signing Day event. 

Ten students who committed to work at local businesses were awarded items to help them jump-start their careers. 

Red Wing Shoes provided $150 gift certificates for work-certified shoes. Building and Electric trades students received toolbelts from Diomandback Toolbelts.

CATEC Director Stephanie Carter said it's all part of the school's mission to see students succeed when they leave the classroom. 

"It's our goal really to strengthen our students individual pipelines and preparing them so they leave us ready to go out and meet all their career goals," she said. 

To learn more about CATEC, click here.