"As recommended by the House Joint Resolution No. 622 (1997), the Joint Subcommittee to Study Noncredit Education for Workforce Training in the Commonwealth, the Virginia Community College System is directed to establish one or more Institutes of Excellence responsible for development of statewide training programs to meet current, high demand workforce needs of the Commonwealth."
The Institutes of Excellence support programs and courses that will prepare potential and/or incumbent employees to fulfill the expectations of employment in high-demand, high-wage occupations. The programs must be geared towards occupations that are stable, present future growth, and offer job security and economic promise. Instructional programs should also support industry expansion and encourage industries to locate in Virginia.
Each year, over $700,000 in grants are awarded to community colleges to develop new instructional programs and courses or alternative programs and course delivery methods to meet local workforce development needs. Examples of project fields include: rapid prototyping, nanotechnology, dissaster preparedness, transportation and distribution, alternative energy sources, green contstruction and advanced manufacturing.
Over the past two years, a handful of colleges have increased the array and depth of educational programs delivered by e-learning, offering new and flexible ways to increase the access to community college students. Chancellor DuBois advanced these programs through his e-Learning Enhancement and Development Grant project.
Important documents:
For more information, please contact Mindy Fast in the VCCS Systems Office.