• News from Career Coaches for Career Coaches

DataBytes

• Noncredit Web Application - There will be an all college testing of the web registration tool on June 9th at PVCC.  In addition, VCCS will demonstrate the product in an online session and conference call with workforce leaders soon after the testing.  For additional questions, please contact Trenton Hightower.
  
  
• Web Application:  Phase 1 of the web application is complete and the application is live.
  
  
• SIS Meeting:  The SIS WDS meeting is scheduled for June 10th at PVCC (following the web registration testing on June 9th).
  
  
• Upcoming deadlines:  The end of the year reports are quickly approaching.  The following are deadlines for reports.  Please contact Wendy Kang for questions:
  
  June 15 - Career Coach annual data reports are due. Online link available here.
  June 18 - Middle College data in PeopleSoft.  WDS will recompile data for the year.
  June 30 - Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) data. WDS will pull CRC data on July 1 from the CRC database. Please ensure data are entered appropriately.
  July 15 - WDS data fro PeopleSoft. WDS will pull the annual course data from PeopleSoft SIS for review for all courses ending July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008.  Please ensure all grades are entered, courses are flagged appropriately, and contact hours are provided for courses.
  July 30 - Tech Prep annual data reports are due.    

College Submissions

• Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
  
  CVCC and the University of Virginia will enroll a second class of future engineers - The four year engineering program began in 2007 as a remedy to the burgeoning demand for engineers in Central Virginia.  UVA's Department of Engineering, CVCC's Workforce Development, and nuclear giant AREVA, NP forged an agreement that would allow qualified engineering studetns graduating from the community college an opportunity to earn bachelor degrees from UVA through studies conducted in Lynchburg.  Due to its success, the program has expanded its curricula to include a discipline in wireless technology in addition to mechanical, electrical, and material science course studies.
  
  CVCC and Dominion Power will offer a new Health Physics Technician training scholarships program at the CVCC Lynchburg camps.  Participants will earn an A.A.S. degree in Nuclear Support Technologies while receiving a scholarship for tuition, fees and books, in addition to a monthly stipend.  The program includes a paid internship in the nuclear industry, and graduates who meet the academic and job performance requirements will be encouraged to join Dominion's Nuclear Business Unit, where they will have the option to continue their education towards a B.S. degree through the company's education assistance program.  Dominion has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for combined construction and operating license that may result in the operation of a new nuclear unit in the state in the next decade.  If built, this unit would add an additional 1,520 megawatts of electrical capacity for Virginia customers.  Dr. Darrel Staat, president of CVCC said, "This is a significant step toward Lynchburg becoming a national training site for the nuclear industry."  Applicants interested in this important opportunity are encouraged to call Mr. Marc Zoccola at 434-832-7804 or Dominion recruiting at 804-771-4845 for furhter information.
       
  
• Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA)
  
  

  CCWA partnered with the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Group in early May to host the Crater Retail Academy's pilot program.  This unique, week-long program was coordinated for residents in the region who are seeking entry-level employment in the retail industry and are interested in enhancing their job skills.  The training program was held at CCWA's Chester Center on the John Tyler Community College's campus and included the job application, interviewing process, customer service training, WorkKeys skills assessment and visits to local retail outlets.  
  
  

  

  Crater Regional Academy participants with CCWA instructor, Elizabeth Dowdy (bottom row, right).
  
  "Crater Regional Workforce has created a Retail Academy similar to models used in other areas of the state," said Cheryl Cruise, project coordinator.  "The success of these programs has led to the development of a training curriculum in partnership with CCWA that will address the needs of our community."  The retail industry is one of the leading employers in the region.  The second Crater Retail Academy is scheduled at CCWA for the week of June 23.

• Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC)
  
  William Gary, Vice President, Workforce Development, NVCC, was invited by Business Roundtable to discuss "Community Colleges as a Crucial Component to American Competitiveness" - According to Business Roundtable, community colleges role, from improving worker training to tapping and shaping the next generation of talent, is even more an imperative in today's fragile and competitive economy.  Moderated by David Wessel, economics editor at The Wall Street Journal, William Gary, along with community college presidents and representatives, briefed members of Congress on the role community colleges play in preparing a 21st century workforce. 
  
  In addition to NVCC's William Gary, other community college representatives included George Boggs, President/CEO, American Association of Community Colleges; Dr. Ding-Jo H. Currie, President, Coastline Community College; Gerado E. de los Santos, President/CEO, League for Innovation in teh Community College; Jim Henderson, Vice President, Career and Technical Education, Louisianna Community and Technical College System; Dr. Jim Jacobs, President-elect, Macomb Community College; Dr. Gail Mellow, President, LaGuardia Community College; and Dr. Diane K. Troyre, President, Lone Star College-CyFair.   

• Rappahannock Community College (RCC)
  
  RCC is the first Virginia community college authorized by the Virginia Autism Council (VAC) to offer a certificate for those working with autistic students.  The Council's purpose addresses a crticial and growing need for current strategies and teaching techniques, based on accurate evidence.  Beginning in July 2008, courseword leading to certification will be offeredin collaboration with the VAC, and the Nothern Neck Regional Special Education Program.  RCC students taking these classes have the opportunity to request tuition reimbursement of up to $300 from the VAC for each completed course.  For more information about the RCC classes, please e-mail noelwoolard@yahoo.com.  To sign up for classes at RCC, please call RCC's Workforce Development Center at 804-758-6750.
  
  For more information about the VAC reimbursement program, please visit the VAC website.
  
  
• Southside Virginia Community College (SsVCC)
  
  SsVCC is revising the current Welding Career Studies Certificate in collaboration with 11 area welding employers and through a VCCS Adult Career Pathways grant.  As emphasized in Governor Tim Kaine's workforce development strategic plan, this project will address several concerns including providing opportunities for under or unemployed adults to receive training for employment in one of the high wage, high skilled jobs in the welding industry and aligns directly with the strategic plan of the WIA Region VIII and with the region's growing industry.  One of the industries involved is the collaboration is Alderman Railcar Services, Inc., which is opening a repair and fabrication shop for the railcar industry in Charlotte County Industrial Park, Keysville.  Alderman plans to hire approximately 85 welders over a three year period.
   
  
• Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC)
  
  TNCC student/employee on her way to a law degree ... gets a new car for free!!
   
  
   
  
  The Manufacturing Excellence Center at TNCC recently received the distinction of Certified Education Center through the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association (FMA), International.  In response to the critical shortage of trained labor in the United States, the FMA partners with educational institutions and companies across North America in an expanding network of Certified Education Centers (CEC).  "It makes sense to partner with an organization that addresses trained labor shortage issues on an international level," says John Calver, Director of TNCC's Manufacturing Excellence Center. "As we know too well, manufacturing firms on the peninsula are finding it increasingly difficult to hire the skilled workers they need.  We are always looking for new ways to assist our companies.  FMA is engaged in a mission to interest today's youth in pursuing careers in the metal forming industry. 

System Office Updates

• Gloria Westerman, Director of Educational Career Transitional Programs, VCCS, was recognized on May 22, 2008 by the Literacy Fair of Virginia during the annual fair held on the John H. Daniel Campus of Southside Virginia Community College.  The award was presented to her for her oustanding work on behalf of the VCCS to benefit the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Congratulations, Gloria!!
  
  
• Liz Riley, Events and Administration for VCCS/WDS, is now known as La Fonda McWilliams.  Her phone number is the same, 804-819-4789, however, her e-mail address has been changed to lmcwilliams@vccs.edu.

Important Dates to Remember

Workforce Development Academy (WDA)

• The Second Annual WDA Alumni Reunion planning has begun.  Due to the WIA transition to the VCCS, the reunion will be held either late summer or early fall 2008.
  
  
• Mark Your Calendars! - The next Workforce Development Professional Competencies course will be July 28 – August 1, 2008. There are a few scholarships available towards the program fee, compliments of the VCCS! The course will be held in Charlottesville, Virginia. For more information, contact Barbara Kessler at 434-243-5337.  This course is the first step towards certification as a Professional in Workforce Development (PWD) from the University of Virginia.

VCCS General News / Highlights

Click here for the April 2008 Newsletter