The facility repurposes former mall storefronts as classrooms, meeting rooms and information centers where students can prepare for a variety of careers. The former storefronts are grouped around a common area where students can work on projects together or socialize. Because of the mall location, students will have opportunities to eat meals or shop before and after class.

HCPS also used the project as a hands-on classroom, enabling high school students to use the skills they’ve developed in career and technical education programs. Community businesses also worked with students, donated their time and materials to the project, and sponsored some of the former storefronts.

“An important goal was to find a way to make adult programs more accessible and attractive to people who want to advance in careers,” said Mac Beaton, HCPS director of workforce and career development. “What better way to do it than in a familiar environment like Regency, where students can go and ‘shop’ for their futures?”

The center replaces a western Henrico adult education center which was housed in a former church building on Broad Street. The division has a second adult education center in Highland Springs.

The innovative project has been recognized this year with awards from both the National Association of Counties and the Virginia Association of Counties.

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