{"id":992,"date":"2014-12-11T15:48:49","date_gmt":"2014-12-11T20:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/news\/?p=992"},"modified":"2014-12-11T15:48:49","modified_gmt":"2014-12-11T20:48:49","slug":"virginia-western-among-participants-in-governor-mcauliffes-credentialing-program-for-high-demand-sectors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virginiawestern.edu\/news\/2014\/12\/11\/virginia-western-among-participants-in-governor-mcauliffes-credentialing-program-for-high-demand-sectors\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Western among participants in Governor McAuliffe’s credentialing program for high-demand sectors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commonwealth’s $500,000 investment will help 500 Virginians earn credentials through incentive program<\/em><\/strong> Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Thursday that seven of Virginia’s Community Colleges, including Virginia Western Community College, will receive direct incentives totaling $500,000 for student completion of credentials identified regionally as high-demand by business and industry. \u00a0The pilot program is an initiative of Governor McAuliffe’s New Virginia Economy Strategic Plan and supports his goal of seeing an additional 50,000 credentials in the Virginia economy before the end of his term. These credentials can lead an individual into careers that boast median wages at or above the Commonwealth’s per capita personal income of $48,377. <\/p>\n

Participating community colleges include Blue Ridge Community College, Germanna Community College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Virginia Western, and the three colleges that comprise the Southern VA Works collaborative – Danville Community College, Patrick Henry Community College, and Southside Virginia Community College.<\/p>\n

Speaking about Thursday’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “The pilot program that I am announcing today will increase the number of Virginians with the credentials that benefit the entire Commonwealth. \u00a0These credentials, which are highly valued by business and industry, are the foundation for both individual success and for building a new Virginia economy.”<\/p>\n

“This is an incredible opportunity for the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. \u00a0“Few investments offer the prospect of greater return than getting more Virginians equipped with the credentials to compete in a 21st century economy. \u00a0We have\u00a0traveled\u00a0around the U.S. and the world, and a well-equipped workforce is the number one request of businesses that are attempting to expand or relocate to Virginia.” Some examples of high-demand credentials include:<\/strong><\/p>\n