{"id":1020,"date":"2021-10-15T15:25:10","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T19:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?p=1020"},"modified":"2021-10-15T15:25:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-15T19:25:10","slug":"new-workforce-training-center-now-open-in-southwest-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2021\/10\/15\/new-workforce-training-center-now-open-in-southwest-virginia\/","title":{"rendered":"New Workforce Training Center Now Open in Southwest Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center is located in Buchanan County<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pictured: Pictured: Matthew Fields (Dir. Marketing & Tourism, Buchanan County), Tim Hess (Buchanan County Supervisor), Tom Lester (Chief Of Staff for Senator Travis Hackworth), Jay Rife (Chairman, Buchanan County IDA), Dr. Tommy Wright (President, Southwest Virginia Community College), Jonathon Belcher (Executive Dir. VCEDA), Randall Rose (Dean of Workforce, Southwest Virginia Community College), Angie Farmer (Manager, SGTLC), Cody Mumpower (representing Congressman Morgan Griffith’s office), Rhonda VanDyke (Program Dir. PTAC at SWCC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GRUNDY, VA \u2014 <\/strong>The much-anticipated Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center (SGTLC) formally opened on Friday, October 15th<\/sup>, with many local, regional, and statewide leaders and employers in attendance for the opening ceremony.  The new workforce training center will offer transportation, logistics, and other in-demand workforce training to support the area\u2019s workforce needs and support economic development in southwest Virginia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC), in partnership with Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA), and the Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), came together to make the $5.7 million-dollar project happen.  \u201cWorkforce training is a fast-growing segment of our educational services at SWCC, and we\u2019re dedicated to serving the entire region with all our educational services. This project is another great example of that dedication, but also of the region\u2019s commitment to workforce development\u201d, stated Dr. Tommy Wright, president of SWCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SWCC will be operating the center through a lease with the IDA, who owns the facility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art training center in the Southern Gap area of Buchanan County, and is near to the Town of Grundy, the outdoor adventure visitor\u2019s center, elk restoration area, Spearhead Trails, area manufacturers, and other future economic development sites.  Classrooms, a large multi-purpose training bay, library, visitors services space, and offices for SWCC staff and faculty, and partners, are included in the building layout.  \u201cIt\u2019s an impressive workforce training facility that once again demonstrates our proactive approach to regional economic development in the region\u201d, noted Jonathan Belcher, executive director of VCEDA.   Funding for construction, equipment, and start-up operations were provided primarily by the VCEDA to make the project possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transportation and logistics workforce training programs that will be offered at the center include Commercial Driver\u2019s License (CDL), Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Diesel Tech Program, and American Welding Society (AWS) welding training.  All training programs can be completed by students in weeks, not semesters or years, to help local employers with the current demand for workers.  Most Virginia residents who participate in qualified training at the center will be eligible for full or some level of tuition assistance through state, local, or private-sector funding sources and contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The SGTLC is located in one of Buchanan County\u2019s premier economic development regions known as Southern Gap.  Other key economic development infrastructure such as the area\u2019s airport, industrial sites, housing, and visitor services are already in place in the area, and new highway infrastructure, public school buildings, and other infrastructure are anticipated in the coming years. \u201cThis training center is all part of the county\u2019s larger plan to develop this area to improve education and career opportunities, but also present leisure and recreation opportunities for our residents\u201d, said Matthew Fields, Director of Tourism for Buchanan County. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Center is currently offering commercial drivers license and welding\/manufacturing training.  Diesel tech and other training is anticipated to start in early 2022.  Interested individuals can call 276-964-7528 to learn more about upcoming training opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Southwest Virginia Community College serves Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell, and parts of Dickenson County, and is dedicated to being the region\u2019s premier workforce solutions and training provider, serving the college\u2019s service region since 1968. The Buchanan County Industrial Development Authority\u2019s mission is to foster the economic growth of Buchanan County, and the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has worked since 1988 to enhance and diversity the economic base of the larger southwest Virginia region, helping create more than 20,000 new jobs for the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Angela Farmer
Manager of the Southern Gap Transportation & Logistics Center \/ SWCC
276-964-7343  \/  angela.farmer@sw.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Fields
Director of Tourism and Economic Development \u2013 Buchanan County IDA
276-312-5033 \/  matthew.fields@buchanancounty-va.gov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jonathan Belcher
Executive Director \u2013 VCEDA
276-889-0381 \/  jonathan@vceda.us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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