WARDELL, VA – DECEMBER 3, 2024 – Workforce Development grants totaling $307,142 to the Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation were closed recently by the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA).
The grants include one for up to $102,000 to be used to expand the college’s automotive technology program; one for up to $100,000 to be used for workforce development and training scholarships and for National Career Readiness Certificate training; and a third for up to $105,142 to be used for workforce development and training in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle technology for residents and/or workers in the VCEDA region.
“VCEDA is pleased to assist Southwest Virginia Community College with these funds to help the college to further expand its offerings and educational opportunities to residents in the VCEDA region,” said VCEDA Executive Director/General Counsel Jonathan Belcher.
The up to a $102,000 grant is from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund and will be used for workforce development in the college’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program. The funds may also be used toward the purchase of a truck and trailer for in-vehicle driver training.
SWCC has operated a CDL program for the past five years. A total of 150 students completed the course and to date, 140 have earned their CDL credential. The program is offered by SWCC at multiple locations within the region and continues to be a high demand program for the college which also offers other stackable programs such as Heavy Equipment Operations and Diesel Repair that can complement the CDL training and help create additional value for students.
In order to meet the demand for CDL training, SWCC sees the need to expand the annual enrollment capacity of the CDL program by 48. To do so, SWCC needs to add an additional tractor-truck and trailer for use in its in-vehicle driver training.
The up to $100,000 grant will be used for scholarships for the emerging workforce, training instructional costs, customized workforce training for area businesses, costs of assessments and costs of administering the National Career Readiness Certificate and other workforce testing for residents and/or workers in the VCEDA region.
The up to a $105,142.00 grant from the VCEDA Coalfield Workforce Development and Training Fund will be used for workforce development and training in electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid vehicle technology for residents and/or workers in the VCEDA region, including the purchase of training equipment and supplies and instructor training.
Southwest Virginia Community College plans to expand its automotive technology program to include hybrid and electric vehicle technology and battery technology. According to the grant application from the SWCC Educational Foundation, the project will benefit students, the community and local and regional employers. The application noted it is currently difficult for local employers to find skilled laborers in this field. The grant will be used to obtain the equipment and supplies needed to support a Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology Career Studies Certificate at SWCC, as well as make it possible for students to receive other credentials including the Automotive Services Excellence (ASE) Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) Snap-On Battery, Starting and Charging Certification.
“We are deeply grateful to the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) for its generous grant support, which will enable us to continue providing critical workforce scholarships at Southwest Virginia Community College,” said Susan Lowe, SWCC vice president of institutional advancement. “This funding not only supports our ongoing commitment to supporting our students, but also allows us to expand our offerings by establishing new workforce development programs which will help equip students with the skills needed to thrive in today’s evolving job market, furthering our mission to strengthen Southwest Virginia’s economy and empower local communities.”
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.