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Information for Employers

FastForward is your Pipeline for Skilled, Qualified Employees.

We know Virginia businesses struggle to find qualified talent — especially for infrastructure-related jobs, such as powerline technicians and heavy equipment operators. Virginia’s employers need workers who are trained on the equipment specific to their industry and vertical.

That’s why FastForward at Virginia’s Community Colleges was created.

FastForward is a tuition assistance program that splits the costs of training and certification between the student, the community college and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to FastForward, students pursuing training in select skilled trades, healthcare and IT programs may also be eligible for G3 tuition assistance (which reduces out-of-pocket costs to $0) and they benefit from collaborations between colleges, which is evident by the work of the Virginia Infrastructure Academy.

We’re here to serve as your community partner. We want to know what your needs are – from the kinds of training and certifications required to the kind of candidate you’re looking for.

From there, we attract people to enroll in workforce training programs aimed at earning industry-recognized certifications and licenses for a wide variety of in-demand careers.

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95% Completion Rate

FastForward provides expert faculty and support staff who enable our students to succeed, saving you the cost and time of on-the-job training. More than 95% of our students complete their training and are ready to begin successful careers in your business.

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80% satisfied with job stability

On average, 80% of FastForward students surveyed report they are satisfied with job stability post-credential.
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$4,129 cost-to-hire

The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) reports that businesses spend, on average $4,129 to hire a new employee. Industry-recognized credentials help streamline the hiring process and mitigate lengthy, expensive hiring searches.
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$3.9 billion in wages in Virginia

With a $55 million investment, FastForward graduates have earned $3.9 billion in wages in Virginia.
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81% of graduates stay in Virginia

On average, 81% of students attending Virginia’s Community Colleges stay in Virginia.

FastForward Blog

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Cool Careers, Bright Futures: How HVAC Training Is Powering Student Success 

An integral part of the construction industry is heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). These systems create and regulate a comfortable and safe indoor environment for all. Skilled technicians work to repair, replace and create better systems that are energy-efficient for residential and commercial properties.   With…

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Preparing for Certification Exams: Study Tips and Resources 

Pre-exam anxiety keeps many people up at night. While it’s tough to completely shake off those nerves, thoughtful preparation can ease some of that stress.   Whether you are preparing for a certification in nursing, education or facilities maintenance, with the right approach, you’ll walk into the…

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Welding Industry Heats Up in Virginia 

Welding is an essential industry in Virginia. From the shipyards in Hampton Roads to manufacturing facilities in Southwest Virginia, there are over 11,000 welders across the Commonwealth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the demand for skilled workers in this field continues to…

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Why Workforce Trainingh

Who grants the workforce credential?

Students are eligible to sit for a workforce credential certification exam at the end of their coursework. Credential certifications are either awarded through state-licensing agencies or through a third-party industry partner, like CompTIA or the American Welding Society.

I’m ready to connect with my local college
to talk about partnership opportunities.

Use the contact form below to get started.

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