There are many different hardships that prevent a person from working. In 2009, Heather lost her job due to health issues. As her health improved, but her 401K and savings declined, she needed to find a way to re-enter the workforce. To boost her career chances…
Jacob wasn’t going to let his age hold him back from pursuing his goals. Just before graduating high school, Jacob’s guidance counselor told him about the FastForward program at Blue Ridge Community College. With his interest piqued, he enrolled and completed a welding course, which led…
Have you ever thought about the people who work tirelessly to turn the power back on when a storm knocks it out? FastForward’s power line worker training program at Southside Virginia Community College trains students for a career doing just that – teaching them what it…
Mercedes has always had an interest in medicine and in helping people. She received her first medical training when she was still in high school, and her interest in the field only grew after she faced a medical condition herself. She recalls that her interactions with…
When you enroll in a FastForward training program, you’re not only getting hands-on training from industry professionals, but you have access to all the benefits of being a community college student. Your advisor comes in the form of our FastForward Career Coaches, who serve as navigators,…
They’re barely out of high school, and already a group of students has begun building their careers thanks to a unique opportunity with LFCC Workforce Solutions. The first cohort of high school students enrolled in the Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO) program is finishing up classes this…
Virginia is known around the world for its world-class military operations – from the Naval Shipyard in Hampton Roads, to Coast Guard, Army and Air Force troops stationed at Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee, Quantico and more. Serving the military community is something FastForward prides itself in…
For Megan, the decision to pursue a career in the power line industry came from wanting to have a stable career and a secure future for herself and her 12-year-old daughter. “The best part that appealed to me was just the financial stability and the fact…
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,…