About Us

Roanoke Valley Business-Education Partnership

Teamwork skills create future leaders.Formed in 1996, the Roanoke Valley Business-Education Partnership represents the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce, Halifax Community College, and the school systems of Halifax County, Northampton County, Roanoke Rapids City, and Weldon City.

The objective in forming the partnership was to strengthen the ties between the business and education communities in Halifax and Northampton counties and to involve citizens in helping to better prepare students for making their career choices.

Our programs are aimed at helping students understand the connection with what they learn in the classroom and the skills they will later need in the workforce. Since its inception, more than 18,000 students have benefited from the BEP program.

In addition to serving as a liaison between the business and education communities, the Partnership sponsors several programs throughout the year, organized through the Roanoke Valley Business–Education Partnership Manager:

Interview Days

Preparing tomorrow's workforce today!Interview Days is offered to all of the high school seniors in the four participating school systems, plus COE students at Halifax Community College. Interview Days allows the students a unique opportunity to experience a mock interview with professional, experienced volunteers from the business community. This event is invaluable as students prepare for their entry into the "real world." The program mimics an actual job interview process and incorporates the writing of cover letters, resumes, and the completion of job applications, plus a verbal interview into the mix.

Teachers and Business after Hours

New teachers are also new customers!This event is held at the beginning of every school year to provide teachers in the four school systems an opportunity to network with local business people.  The event offers businesses, civic organizations and churches a perfect opportunity to alert edcuators to their products and services and to extend a warm thank you to the teachers in the Roanoke Valley.


Job Shadowing

Learning careers for tomorrow.The Job Shadowing program is conducted twice a year for eighth grade students.  The  students experience part of a day  shadowing a particular person, department, or business in the Roanoke Valley.   Shadowing provides a broad overview of all aspects of a worksite by allowing students to follow one or more persons on the job.  This program provides exposure to various careers and helps students to make academic and career choices.


Pathways Youth Leadership

Preparing for challenges of tomorrow through Youth Leadership"Pathways to Career Success" is modeled after the successful  Leadership Roanoke Valley Program. Pathways  is offered each year to high school students interested in taking leadership roles in the community.  The fifty selected students are chosen based on merit and according  to their academic performance at their individual schools. Teaching future leaders today!With the culmination of four sessions plus a graduation ceremony in May, the goals of this program are to enhance leadership skills, expose the students to the wealth of opportunities found in the Roanoke Valley, and create bonds among the students coming from different  school  systems. The four-day program focuses on various topics, including Education, Business & Industry, Health Careers, Government, and Leadership Skills.

Important Links

For more information on the Business Education Partnership call our Business Education Partnership Manager April Shevlino at 252-537-3513