The Spirit of Collaboration
The North Carolina Community College System offers a sweeping portfolio of initiatives designed to train workers for new careers and help companies develop workers already on the job. In recent months, VGCC found many opportunities to work with NCCCS sister colleges, expanding offerings and empowering the local workforce.
One such occasion came in September 2023 with the groundbreaking AdvanceNC coalition, pictured within this story. Ten community colleges, two universities, and six regional workforce development boards formally united to develop expert workers for an exploding number of advanced manufacturing companies across the region.
The College also formed several program partnerships with individual institutions to equip local learners for impactful careers:
911 Communications & Operations
Last October, Vance-Granville signed an agreement allowing its students to enroll in RichmondCC’s online 911 Communications & Operations associate degree program. Students complete most program-specific courses and work-based learning portions through the sister college while completing general education requirements at VGCC.
The program began after the NC 911 Board pinpointed a need for standardized 911 telecommunicator training, plus a need to help elevate this career field. The NC 911 Board and the NC Department of Information Technology gave direct input into the development of the program, unique within the state of North Carolina when it launched last year.
Cybersecurity
With the threat of cyberattacks constantly on the rise, VGCC is committed to equipping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. In December, VGCC established a Level-Two Instructional Service Agreement for Cybersecurity, signifying a comprehensive collaboration to share resources, faculty expertise, and instructional support to develop work-ready talent.
Partner college Piedmont is part of the Carolina Cyber Network, a comprehensive workforce development initiative among select cybersecurity educational institutions. As part of the agreement, expert Cybersecurity faculty from the sister college provides on-campus instruction at Vance-Granville.
Funeral Service Education
In January, Vance-Granville teamed up with another sister school on an innovative hybrid program, paving the way for new career opportunities in its four-county service area. FTCC’s Funeral Service Education program is the only one of its kind in the state, accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education and led by licensed funeral professionals.
The agreement allows VGCC students to take general education courses locally before applying to transfer into the sister school’s program. Much of the program’s specialized instruction is offered online and can be completed remotely. Vance-Granville students only have to visit the partner college occasionally to demonstrate or learn key funeral service skills.
Ready to get started in one of these career-enhancing programs? Apply today!
