McAuliffe announces grant to put long-term unemployed back to work

Governor Terry McAuliffe today 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 21st 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.