Training the Trades

In Richmond, Virginia, the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), the workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges, has opened three newly renovated labs at the Reynolds’ Downtown Campus in an effort to train more of the region’s job seekers for skilled trades careers. The classrooms are equipped with tools and training equipment to allow participants to receive practical, hands-on instruction.

National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum is delivered during the certification training that includes Level 1 HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing courses. These classes are offered in the FastForward tuition assistance program, available to all residents of Virginia. Participants may enroll at low-to-no cost since students with financial need are eligible for additional grants in addition to FastForward.

“Infrastructure and new construction projects are booming in the Greater Richmond MSA, and skilled trades offers an incredible opportunity for job seekers who don’t mind working hard to realize good wages and career opportunities,” said Elizabeth Creamer, Vice President, Workforce Development, CCWA. “One can move up the ladder quickly in a skilled trades occupation, and regional employers are eager to interview NCCER students and program completers.”

With a bench of industry expert instructors, CCWA’s skilled trades program has assisted job seekers and incumbent workers to earn more than 400 credentials across the specialties of general construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and heavy equipment in the past five years.