About Us

CBEC is a 100% grant and donation funded 501(c)(3) organization. Our Mission: To bring business and community members together to help students prepare for the workforce, higher education, or training. Our Vision: Business and education working together to help create a productive workforce in the Crossroads area.

In 2002, community leaders came together to improve educational attainment in the Victoria area. They formed a 100 member Human Capital Planning Team. The Victoria Business and Education Coalition and the Victoria Chamber of Commerce Education Committee arose from the efforts of that team in 2003. Victoria College, the University of Houston-Victoria, Victoria Independent School District, Workforce Solutions Golden Crescent, and many area businesses and individuals support our programs which are designed to assist in many aspects of a student’s success in the workforce and life. They also address the essential need for adult and business involvement with the education community.  Our programs also help grow the future workforce for our current area employers and for new companies looking to locate in the Crossroads.

In 2020, CBEC assimilated GED (high school equivalency) preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL) services, and citizenship preparation from Victoria Adult Literacy Council which dissolved after 35+ years of service to adult learners.

Adopt-a-School pairs a business, civic organization, church, or other group with a specific school or program.  Together the organization and school will determine ways to partner on volunteer needs, projects, events, etc.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. VBEC is a member of Junior Achievement of South Texas under the umbrella of Junior Achievement – Corpus Christi.

The YOUth LEADership Conference is a 4-day event that occurs annually in June. It gives incoming 7th grade students an opportunity to develop leadership skills and to acquire characteristics, attributes, and attitudes needed for success in the workplace and life such as collaboration, teamwork, accountability, and etiquette.  Participants also undertake a service-learning project. 

Career Connections will include career fairs, career speakers, career advisors, workshops, business and industry tours, job shadowing, student internships / apprenticeships, and teacher externships.

Program Awards

• In 2008, it received the Texas Governor’s Volunteer Award in the Community Connector Category.
• In 2007, it was a finalist for the United States Community Service Award in Washington by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
• In 2005, VBEC was recognized by the Texas Secretary of Education, Dr. Shirley Neeley, as the program to become the national model.

These are exciting accomplishments worth building on.

We need your help. There are many other opportunities to volunteer for VBEC. The entire program is staffed primarily by volunteers!

Thank you for all of your support. Increasing the knowledge and skills of our workforce is vital to the local economy and to our ability to compete globally. VBEC is definitely on target and is truly making a difference for the students in our region.