$1.9 Department of Labor Grant Goes to BRCC Manufacturing Initiative
WEYERS CAVE - Blue Ridge Community College was recently awarded a second 1.9 million dollar grant from the Department of Labor to implement community based solutions to the shortage of qualified workers in the manufacturing sector. The grant, entitled “Manufacturing Tomorrow’s Careers,” focuses on enhancing the youth pipeline into manufacturing careers, aligning AAS degrees related to manufacturing with workforce demands, and strengthening incumbent worker training and apprentices.
“Receipt of a second Department of Labor grant to help develop a workforce in the Shenandoah Valley to respond to the changing needs of our manufacturing community is indeed very exciting,” commented BRCC President, James Perkins. He added, “The College is committed to working in partnership with our community to prepare our workforce for the economic realities of the 21st Century. This grant is one example of our efforts in this regard.”
The grant will enable BRCC, in partnership with the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board, Shenandoah Valley Partnership, local educational providers, and area businesses to stimulate employment in the manufacturing sector.