Imagine spending your days with your hands deep in soil, pulling weeds and tending crops under the heat of the Virginia sun. For many in rural parts of the Commonwealth, this is a way of life, and as Ryan describes it for those who live on…
You know you’re in an exciting line of work when one day you’re installing a staircase at a college in Lynchburg and the next, you’re planning work on a high-rise construction project in Richmond. Since receiving his 6G Pipe Welding Certification after completing FastForward training, Marcus,…
When people are at their worst, Brittany is there to help see them through. Prior to enrolling in FastForward, Brittany was stationed at one of Sentara’s ER registration desks. She already earned a phlebotomy credential and a medical billing and coding credential through Paul D. Camp…
For Michelle, what started as a curiosity has now led to her making double what she made before and she’s earning high praise from her manager. Michelle had been working in home healthcare, making only $8 an hour, before deciding to enroll in pharmacy technician training…
Farley graduated high school uncertain of her future career trajectory. She always had an interest in the medical field and made the decision to enlist in the military to serve as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Upon the completion of her…
Keisha is proof of what can be accomplished through hard work and sheer determination. The Culpeper resident overcame homelessness while raising a young child to attain two health care certifications and start a fulfilling career as a certified phlebotomist/nurse assistant. In her position, Smith now has…
Roughly 69 percent of employers are having problems finding skilled laborers that match job postings, according to a report by Burning Glass. That means there are open jobs in need of skilled, qualified workers. Employers are seeking people with trade skills outside of a typical high…
Jamaul attributes much of his drive for self-improvement to supporting his family and serving as a positive role model for his two children. After out of high school, Taylor worked for retail and customer service positions as a third-party contractor, but he didn’t find a field…
Think about the coaches you’ve had in your life. When you were younger, maybe you had a sports coach who encouraged you when times were tough and helped call your next moves. As you got older, maybe you had a coach when you were trying to…
No childcare. Lack of transportation. College is too expense. There’s no time left in the day. Thirty-somethings don’t go back to school. These are just some of the worries our FastForward coaches hear when talking to people who are interested in career training. And we’re here…