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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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Careers That Care: How NOVA is Addressing Healthcare Workforce Shortages

A career in healthcare offers stability, growth opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Yet, the industry faces significant workforce shortages across the commonwealth. To address this gap, community colleges are playing a vital role in providing the necessary tools for…

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One of the Most Affordable Options for Career Training

The Challenge: Affordability in Higher Education Many students interested in pursuing academic or workforce training programs face a significant obstacle: affordability. Tuition rates for higher education continue to see significant increases leaving those seeking a career change or skill upgrade wondering if it’s within reach. A…

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7 Essential Healthcare Job Search Tips to Start Your Career

Whether you’ve completed a FastForward certificate program or earned an associate’s degree in a healthcare field, understanding how to navigate the job market is crucial to starting your dream medical career. The good news? The demand for trained healthcare talent continues to grow, and there are…

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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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