New Career Exploration Opportunities A Possibility for Patrick County
April 15, 2021
The West Piedmont Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) is collaborating with several other local partners in Patrick County to bring new career exploration opportunities to the area. READ MORE.....
The West Piedmont Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) is collaborating with several other local partners in Patrick County to bring new career exploration opportunities to the area. Board member and Patrick County Chamber of Commerce President Rebecca Adcock convened the group which consisted of representatives from the workforce development board, Patrick Henry Community College, the Patrick County School System and Ross Innovative Employment Solutions to discuss workforce challenges as well as creative solutions.
Tyler Freeland, CEO of the West Piedmont Workforce Development Board looks forward to next steps. “Patrick County is a unique and important part of our region and we’re thrilled to collaborate with this amazing group of stakeholders who are dedicated to finding solutions to our current workforce challenges in the area.” Freeland notes several other municipalities in the region are developing youth programs in conjunction with the board and local school systems that supplement existing programming. He hopes similar programs can be developed in Patrick County.
A key challenge the group hopes to address is connecting youth to career pathways, particularly ones who are no longer enrolled in school. Patrick County Career and Technical Education Director and Chair of the WPWDB Youth Committee Robin Ferguson believes that creating more experiences for in-school youth to be exposed to community workforce resources will assist with bridging the gap. Ferguson is working with Virginia Career Works Career Specialist Wanda Whitlow and Patrick County’s PHCC Site Director Angie Brown to share career resources at Patrick County High School this year.
In addition to in-school exposure to workforce opportunities, the team is launching a community outreach campaign. Expect to see members of the Virginia Career Works team tabling at events and community activities this spring and summer. While they have aggressive plans to educate area residents on the vast number of training programs, supportive services and funding opportunities, they still need help from the community to get the message out. Freeland says, “If you have neighbors, friends or family members struggling financially or can’t seem to find their way, share our information and let them know we are here to help.”
The Patrick County Virginia Career Works site is open from 8:30AM to 5:00PM Monday through Friday and is located at 103 W. Blue Ridge Street in Stuart. You can schedule an appointment by phone at 276.694.6542 or by email at wwhitlow@vcwwespiedmont.org.
ABOUT: West Piedmont Workforce Development Board – The West Piedmont Workforce Development Board supports workforce development initiatives for employers and job seekers in Danville, Pittsylvania County, Martinsville, Henry County and Patrick County, Virginia through its oversight of federal, state and local grant programs that provide job training opportunities and services that effectively connect community members to local business and industry. https://www.vcwwestpiedmont.com/
