As the Continuous Improvement Manager at Rhenus Automotive, Francisco Quintero sought out programs that would allow him to continue his education while balancing a full-time job. Through his experience with Virginia Western Community College, Francisco found a pathway to develop new skills, grow professionally and create a roadmap to a brighter future without putting his life on hold — and now helps others do the same.
For many working adults and professionals of all ages, gaining the specific proficiencies needed to take that next step in their careers can feel out of reach. At Rhenus Automotive, partnerships with FastForward and Virginia’s Community Colleges allow professionals to build their skills in the automotive fields by providing hands-on training and career opportunities in automotive manufacturing and assembly.
Program Flexibility
For Francisco, balancing work and parenting at home was easier thanks to Virginia Western’s offering of night classes. Armed with a flexible schedule, he was able to gain the skills he needed to build professional momentum on his own terms.
“I was trying to find a program locally that would teach me either diesel mechanics or automotive,” Francisco says. “Through Virginia Western, I was able to. It’s a great program.”
Career Correlation
The partnership between Rhenus Automotives and Virginia’s Community Colleges ensures that training programs are directly aligned with contemporary industry needs.
“I’ve seen several students come through our plant with knowledge they’ve been gathering through Virginia Western Community College,” Francisco says, emphasizing how closely the coursework matches up with on-the-job needs.
By designing programs strategically based on employer input, FastForward creates a direct pipeline from classroom to career that benefits both students and businesses.
Learn more about enrolling in FastForward at your local community college here.