On July 1, 2021, Virginia’s Community Colleges are launching G3, a training and education program for students with a family income of less than $100,000. The focus of the G3 program is to educate Virginians for high-demand fields, like skilled trades, public safety and healthcare, preparing them for good careers and open jobs in Virginia.
If a student decides to get involved in the program, there are three levels that build on each other. After each level, students will earn a certification that can lead to a job.
You’ve heard us talk about stackability, right? This means students can chip away one step at a time, earning certifications along the way, becoming more and more qualified for an industry position over time. A student can even take breaks in between trainings without losing progress along the way to the main goal at the end: an associate degree.
The certifications earned at the first two steps of the program are likely to be FastForward programs.
The financial assistance for this program is “last dollar,” which means the program will pay for any remaining tuition or fees after other grants and scholarships are spent. So, after other grants and scholarships are taken into consideration, these trainings will essentially be free of charge for students who qualify.
While the program doesn’t start until July 1, by signing up early with your local community college, staff can help start the process and save your spot. Visit www.vccs.edu/g3 or your local community website to learn more.