Unemployed Virginia residents may qualify for a $1000 award by completing a qualifying FastForward training course and credential at Southwest Virginia Community College beginning August 1, 2020.
The Virginia Ready (VA Ready) Initiative is a new nonprofit organization formed in response to the economic hardships created by COVID-19. Unemployed residents of the Commonwealth who enroll in an approved FastForward program at a Virginia Community College can qualify to become a VA Ready Scholar.
VA Ready provides registered VA Ready Scholars a $1,000 Credential Achievement Award upon obtaining the final credential in a selected training program. The program also helps connect students with employers through Career Works centers and an online Job Exchange Board on the VA Ready website.
Specific qualifying programs offered at by the Southwest Virginia Community College, Workforce & Continuing Education program include:
Welding (FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, SMAW)
Computer and Cyber (CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Security +
Healthcare (Pharmacy Tech)
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) This program is launching soon.
According to a press release from VA Ready:
“VA Ready and its partners – 20 of the Commonwealth’s leading businesses – provide incentives for motivated, out-of-work Virginians to reskill for in-demand jobs in high-growth sectors. Upon achieving their new credential in one of 29 selected training programs, “VA Ready Scholars” receive a $1,000 Credential Achievement Award and are offered opportunities to interview at many of Virginia’s best companies.
Further partnering with Virginia’s 23 community colleges and their existing FastForward initiative, a state-sponsored workforce credential grant program, VA Ready marries Virginia’s business needs with high-quality, short-term training programs offered by community colleges. Funded through philanthropic donations and company contributions, VA Ready recognizes and rewards student initiative to gain new skills.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, nearly 875,000 Virginians have filed for unemployment. Lower-wage earners and minority communities have been hit the hardest. At the same time, demand is projected to grow for specialized jobs in the fields of technology, healthcare and manufacturing/skilled trades.”
Southwest Virginia Community College’s Workforce & Continuing Education programs offer fast-track training for high-demand careers. Most Workforce students are eligible for financial assistance through grants and other funding sources.
For more information or to learn more, please contact a Fast Track Training Advisor at the college. Qualifying Fast Forward training courses are subject to change. Space is limited and award is based on available funding. Please contact the Workforce & Continuing Education division at the college for the latest information and status.
276-964-7355.
Contact: Randall Rose
Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education
randall.rose@sw.edu
276-964-7683