Virginia’s Community Colleges are increasingly where businesses and individuals go for workforce training. An article in Virginia Business Magazine examines how the colleges are responding to the rising demand for specialized workforce training while coping with the economic crunch.

Last year, the VCCS provided customized training programs for 100,000 workers at about 5,000 businesses. This year those numbers are expected to grow as companies respond to challenges within their own industries. And with so many Virginians facing unemployment, the community colleges are seeing a rise in individuals seeking new job skills to help them compete in the hunt.  Despite the growing demand for workforce programs, community colleges continue to be challenged by resources.

According to a report by Mangum Economic Consulting, VCCS noncredit workforce training receives only a small share of state funding which “has not kept pace with the level of training offered.” Budget cuts at the state level have only added to the crunch. 

Attempting to keep pace with these challenges, Virginia’s community colleges continue to seek new ways to offer valuable and cost-effective training.

To learn more about the trends in workforce training and development at Virginia’s Community Colleges, read the entire article in Virginia Business Magazine.

Posted by Lauren Von Herbulis