As the manager of workforce development and planning at Dominion Energy, Matt Kellam understands the value of strong partnerships with Virginia’s Community Colleges and their ability to translate workforce needs into an effective curriculum. As a fourth-generation Dominion Energy employee, Kellam has seen firsthand how higher…
As the owner of Brown’s Heating, Air, Plumbing & Electrical, Brandon Brown values programs like FastForward for the role it plays in providing in-depth training and hands-on learning for the HVAC industry. And as a recipient of an HVAC credential program himself, Brown has firsthand experience with the impact…
As Executive Director of Heavy Construction Contractors Association (HCCA), Deborah Harvey greatly values the skilled trade trainings offered through FastForward and Virginia’s Community Colleges. The HCCA is a non-profit organization of contractors and related businesses working collaboratively to make a positive impact on the construction industry…
Cybersecurity is a large and important industry in the Commonwealth. It’s an expanding field that not only helps individuals stay safe online by protecting personal information, but it also serves the larger community and state by mitigating cyber risk. Through Virginia’s Community Colleges’ FastForward program, eligible Virginia residents from across the Commonwealth can take advantage of an Information Technology curricula designed…
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning, known as HVAC, plays a vital role in creating safe and comfortable spaces where people live and work. Skilled technicians keep these systems running efficiently, improving energy use and supporting homes and businesses across Virginia. As demand for HVAC professionals continues to rise, FastForward is helping students gain the…
Not every student thrives in a traditional classroom setting. For students struggling in a traditional learning environment, hands-on learning can be a productive alternative, one that is often a more suitable way for students to learn. Virginia’s Community Colleges’ recognizes these learning differences, and so its FastForward program offers a range of hands-on learning experiences that engage students in…
Every year, as we honor those who have served our country on Veteran’s Day, we’re reminded of the unique skills, training, and experiences our veterans bring home with them. Did you know many of those skills can count toward a credential or certification? The FastForward program is designed to help…
Virginia’s Community Colleges are proud to support Virginia’s logistics and transportation industry. Transportation is essential to the logistics industry in order to transport goods and materials. In honor of National Truckers Day, recognized earlier this month, we’re highlighting recent workforce developments in logistics happening across the…
FastForward, offered through Virginia’s Community Colleges, is a funding program designed to make career training more affordable and accessible for Virginians. By reducing the financial barriers to in-demand credentials, FastForward helps students gain the skills needed to launch or advance their careers. In addition to this…
In the skilled trade of power lines, workers build, maintain, and repair the electrical lines that keep homes, businesses, and communities connected to power. A typical workday can include climbing poles to install wires, or work on transformers. This skill is important as it ensures electricity…