FastForward programs are designed to be flexible so that students can work and take courses at the same time while balancing family and personal life. A 2020 survey found that FastForward graduates not only saw an average increase of $8,000 in wages, but also reported having a better overall work-life balance. We recently conducted our…
Virginia’s Community Colleges have helped to train thousands of students who have gone on to get certified for a wide-range of skilled trades careers across the Commonwealth. From certified nursing aids and clinical medical assistants to heavy equipment operators and truck drivers, we’re training Virginians for the open…
Looking to go back to school for a short-term training program or your associate degree? The idea of paying for it can be daunting, especially if you are juggling a family, debt or any lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. But bettering yourself through education can…
What if we told you that the infrastructure industry in Virginia anticipates having 30,000-50,000 open jobs in the coming years? Thanks to the Virginia Clean Economy Act and evolving technologies, there is a big need to update Virginia’s solar, wind and power infrastructure – not to…
So, you’re considering a FastForward program to broaden your career horizons? You might be asking yourself how to get started. The first thing you should know about the program is that it works, because our students have the ability to earn credentials in some of the…
Like the falling leaves or the bursting forth of springtime blooms, the coming and going of seasonal workers is inevitable. That’s why workforce training programs, like FastForward, are designed to help employers stay ahead of the curve on hiring during busy and slow seasons. Between an…
Philip Stiltner, a native of Buchanan County, Va., began working in the coal mines at 18. A lot of hard work, followed by multiple layoffs, led him to make a change and move to Manassas to work as a electrical groundsman. Stiltner, however, deeply missed his…
Career training enrollment can feel like a daunting process, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are five tips to make the career training enrollment process painless so you can get on your way to a new and improved career. Do your research. Before committing to a…
For the second year running, CNBC’s annual survey found Virginia to be the top state for business. Accolades like this showcase Virginia’s solid workforce and strong educational system and speak to why our region makes sense for manufacturing facilities, transportation and logistics companies, information technology shops…
What Virginians believe to be the most important thing they look for in a job could be summarized in one word: wages. Over a three-day period, FastForward pushed out three polls into the Twitter-sphere, targeting Virginians 25 and older who have indicated a previous interest in topics surrounding jobs, work and careers. Here’s what we uncovered. What employees look for in a job According to…