Grant funds new NCWorks Job-Driven Initiative at VGCC
Vance-Granville Community College, in partnership with the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board , has received a $147,000 grant, made possible by federal funds awarded to the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions . VGCC is one of 12 community colleges across the state that have been selected to provide training services for dislocated workers as part of the “NCWorks Job-Driven Initiative.”
This initiative will help residents of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties to obtain education and training for various entry-level jobs that local employers need to fill. The college will provide classroom-based programs while the Workforce Development Board provides on-the-job training.
VGCC’s programs as part of the initiative are all designed to lead to industry-recognized or state-regulated credentials. These programs include BioWork Process Technician, Certified Logistics Technician, Certified Production Technician (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council), Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL–B), Health Unit Coordinator and Health Unit Secretary. In the summer of 2015, college officials plan to add a Hospitality & Customer Service Representative program, as well. For any of the programs, grant funding may pay for a student’s registration fees, certification testing fees, books and other necessary supplies. Training programs vary in length from 92 to 186 hours.
Students must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in the grant program. The initiative is designed to serve workers who have been unemployed for at least 27 weeks, with a special priority given to veterans. Those who qualify for the grant program will take the WorkKeys® assessments allowing them to earn the North Carolina Career Readiness Certificate (CRC), as well as examinations that lead to credentialing or certificates in their chosen field.
The new funding, from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program, allows VGCC to expand upon the successful NC Back-to-Work program, which helped numerous local residents receive Certified Production Technician training at the college during the 2013-2014 year.
“Like the NC Back-to-Work grant, the NCWorks Job-Driven Initiative has given a boost to our efforts to place students in career fields that are in demand,” said VGCC Coordinator of Human Resources Development Kyle Burwell. “This program will provide support to our students to help them succeed, while also providing a pool of qualified, credentialed job candidates to our region’s employers in the manufacturing, logistics, transportation and health care industries.”
For more information about the NCWorks Job-Driven Initiative, contact Kyle Burwell at hrd-wk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3276.
