According to the Virginia Employment Commission, by 2026, there are expected to be 2.6M middle-skilled jobs in Virginia – jobs that require some training, but not a four-year degree. There is a skills gap in Virginia’s workforce, and FastForward is continuing to bridge the gap by providing affordable and flexible workforce training to students.
Who are FastForward Graduates?
More than half of FastForward students served are from underrepresented populations and are two times as likely to receive support like SNAP and TANF. The average age of students is 34 and nearly 60% are parents or have dependents.
Paying for Success
FastForward is a financial assistance program that rewards students who successfully complete training and earn a high-demand industry certification. Plus, with many additional funding sources available, like G3, most students end up paying only a third of the price for training out of their own pocket – and many pay nearly nothing.
“Finding out that I didn’t have to pay for the class was a blessing and the reason I signed up,” said Jamod Winborne, Heavy Equipment Operator graduate at Camp Community College.
FastForward Grads Are Happy with Their Credential
Following training, a majority of students go on to have full-time jobs with benefits and better work schedules. In 2024, earning a credential led our graduates to increase their salary by almost $16,000 on average, and many reported additional benefits like receiving paid vacation (77%) and medical insurance paid for by their employer (74%).
Additionally,
- 91% are satisfied with their work schedule
- 85% are satisfied with their job stability
- 78% are satisfied with their job duties
- 72% are satisfied with their pay
“I joined the welding program because I knew I was eligible for FastForward funding. Through this program, I was able to take courses without financial barriers and got a job in less than six months after starting the program,” said Katie Schoftahl, Welding graduate at Mountain Gateway Community College.
Interested in earning a credential through FastForward, but don’t know where to start? Reach out to your local FastForward Career Coach to get started.