Many of our friends, family and neighbors have lost their jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to the Commonwealth. If you’re out of work or are still employed but have concerns about your rights or benefits, here are a list of organizations that might…
During this time of uncertainty, one thing is for certain: our workers on the frontlines are heroes. We can’t help but think about all of our current students and FastForward graduates who are working hard to keep us well, safe and protected in these challenging times….
When Brooke Shehan was taking dual enrollment classes at Rockbridge County High School through Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, she wasn’t anticipating a future career helping people at the same school that helped her earn her college credits. But here she is today, the FastForward Career…
Before Anthony Price decided he wanted to get his commercial driver’s license, he worked odd jobs around Covington, Va. And while he managed to get by, there was always a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. “What happens when this one ends?” “Is this…
There’s a lot of Virginia workforce and career news. We’re starting a monthly series where we pull together highlights of what’s happening across Virginia. This month is particularly busy thanks to an active General Assembly session. Big hiring and layoff announcements On the positive side, GRIMM,…
Choosing a career can be hard. There are many factors to take into account. How much will it cost? How much money will I make? Is it the right fit? Am I passionate about this? These tools have made it simple to narrow down what field…
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try (and try and try) again. Julian, a student in the FastForward Certified Nursing Aide program, did just that. After graduating high school, Julian had dreams of working in healthcare, but growing up in a small town in West…
For 14 years, Greg Seals spent his days in the coal mines. He worked hard, day in and day out, to support his wife and four children. But when Blackjewel, a coal mining company with operations around the country, filed for bankruptcy and ultimately laid off…
Are you an analytic thinker who likes solving problems and troubleshooting hardware or network issues? Do you speak techie? But then are you able to pivot and speak non-techie to technologically-challenged parents? If any of these questions resonate with you, the IT industry may be a…
A new year means new goals for 2020. While exciting, goal setting often brings feelings of anxiety. We asked our experts. FastForward Career Coaches across Virginia share their top tips to set – and achieve – career and training goals. Start small. Going back to school…