Governor McAuliffe Announces $11.9 million Workforce Innovation Fund Grant

The seal of the United States Department of Labor (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Grant will advance employment and financial literacy for 1,800 Virginians with barriers to higher education and employment ~ 

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Virginia has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to receive an $11.9 million grant to advance employment and financial literacy for 1,800 Virginians in challenging environments.  Virginia received the largest single grant award of any organization or state in the $50.7 million DOL Workforce Fund grant competition which awarded funds to 11 organizations in nine states.       

The successful Workforce Innovation Fund grant proposal was jointly developed by the Office of the Governor and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).  Grant activities will focus on implementing the Working Families Success Network (WFSN) model at six of the Commonwealth’s One Stop employment centers. 

The WFSN model was developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Four of Virginia’s 23 community colleges are already implementing the model in collaboration with the Achieving the Dream organization.  The model helps individuals cut through red tape and access services and resources to help them earn good-paying jobs.

This grant and the activities align with Governor Terry McAuliffe’s executive order establishing his “New Virginia Economy” workforce initiative, a robust plan that calls for 50,000 new STEM-H credentials earned by 2018.

“In order to create a new Virginia economy, our education and workforce development systems must give the necessary support to level the playing field for success,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “This program will help our community colleges and One Stop Career Centers provide students the necessary financial and support services to help them succeed in a 21^stcentury economy.”

“This grant will allow Virginia to implement a proven model of workforce development that doesn’t just train people for a job, but helps them to build their financial and career management skills.” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones said. 

“Earning a college credential is no longer optional for those seeking in-demand jobs,” said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. “This grant is a vital step in positioning Virginians to realize the American Dream.” 

The VCCS Workforce Development Services unit will oversee the five year project, working with six regional workforce investment boards that are responsible for delivery of services authorized under the federalWorkforce Investment Act. 

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Grant to Put Long-Term Unemployed Back to Work

Central Virginia Community College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

-       Virginia’s Community Colleges to Provide Training and Job Placement to 600 Unemployed by 2016  -

RICHMOND- Governor Terry McAuliffe announced a new $6 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) that will help hundreds of people across Virginia gain faster access to training for high-demand jobs.

“Building a workforce development system that will position Virginia to lead in the 21^st Century economy is one of my top priorities, and this new grant is a step in the right direction,” said Governor McAuliffe. “In executing this grant, Virginia Community Colleges will focus on high demand sectors, including manufacturing, construction, health care, hospitality and food service, information technology and transportation and logistics, in order to give students the skills and credentials they need to fill the jobs that are available right now.”

The federal grant will allow the VCCS to bundle three existing community college programs that have been successful at accelerated credentialing and job placement – On Ramp, Adult Career Coaching and On-the-Job (OJT) Training. The partnership for this model will include the local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBS), community colleges, and businesses in targeted industry sectors. Together, they will serve individuals who have been, or will soon be, laid off.

“Getting more Virginians workforce credentials that matter to creating jobs and business expansion is a top priority,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Adults need more options for expedited education and training to get the skills they need to reenter the workforce in jobs that afford access to middle class wages and beyond.  I am pleased that this grant increases funding for a program like On Ramp that provides tuition support for shorter term non credit training as well as for community college certificates and degrees”

Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges, continued, “Increasingly, this is our sweet spot: helping people who’ve been without a job for some time get back to work. We’re grateful for the vote of confidence this grant from the U.S. Labor Department represents. This is exciting for us and it’s exciting for the employers and the individuals we are going to connect through this work.”

To learn more about career services for dislocated workers, please visit the Workforce Development Departments at Virginia’s 23 Community Colleges.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia’s Grant Award for Veterans’ Job Training

Injuries incurred by service members are covered by the Veteran Administration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Virginia’s Community Colleges to Provide Education and Training Opportunities to Help Veterans Succeed

RICHMOND- Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today Virginia’s award of over $3.4 million from the United States Department of Labor.  The grant award will provide veterans with community college credits for their past military service and training, coursework to obtain additional skills and credentials, and mentors at the community colleges to help veterans navigate through higher education, including admissions and financial aid.

“Virginia’s Community Colleges are honored to have been selected by the United States Department of Labor to receive funds that will provide short and long-term benefits to Virginia’s veterans,” said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “This grant will enable veterans to gain additional skills and credentials to position them for jobs and careers through which they can support a family.”

Funds will also focus on helping Virginia businesses connect with qualified, job-seeking veterans. A program will be established to maintain strategic relationships with employers in Virginia’s three fastest-growing sectors: healthcare, logistics, and advanced manufacturing.

The federal funding comes as Virginia’s veteran population is growing. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the commonwealth will be home to nearly 850,000 veterans by the year 2017, ranking it 5^th in the nation in terms of veteran population.  Virginia ranks 7^th in that category today.

Assisting veterans with job training through Virginia’s Community Colleges is a well-suited match. In the 2012-13 academic year, a record-setting 40,827 students with military status enrolled in a Virginia community college, including active duty service members, reservists, retirees, and veteran spouses and dependents. 

 “As we commemorate Flag Day this month, I can think of no greater action than to assist those who have defended that flag to reestablish their lives at home and get back to work,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe.

Over the life of this funding, Virginia’s Community Colleges will work with state partners through a steering committee to ensure strong results. The Governor will call upon representatives from the Virginia Employment Commission, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade’s Office, and the Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to assist with the initiative.

To learn more about career opportunities for veterans, please visit the Workforce Development Departments at Virginia’s 23 Community Colleges.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.

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