Initiatives revolve around educating our young people, attracting skilled employees and providing employment services

Lynchburg leaders aren’t standing by idly while the presence of a workforce shortage looms. Local colleges, businesses, and organizations are setting plans into action so that this area isn’t struggling in years to come. With initiatives from Central Virginia Community College, the Region 2000 Partnership and Young Professionals of Central Virginia, local talent is being harvested and persuaded to use their skills to benefit Central Virginia.

Growing the Talent Pipeline

Recently, Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) received a national award for its strategic initiative “Grow Your Own.” The campaign draws corporate support for technology programs aimed at students from elementary school to higher education. The cooperative effort between CVCC and nuclear power conglomerate AREVA, has spawned several education initiatives in various technology-oriented fields including:

• Summer career exploration academies in nuclear energy, women, science & technology, and advanced manufacturing
• Lego League robotics activities
• Nuclear energy curriculum modules in science classes
• FIRST Robotics competition team
• Summer internships for high school students at AREVA
• Development of a nuclear technologies Career Technical Education program at four regional high schools
• Increase dual enrollment opportunities in the four nuclear technologies degree programs
• Three AAS degree programs and one certificate program in nuclear support technologies
• AREVA Contractor Training program

The community college also provides a very unique undergraduate engineering program through a partnership with the University of Virginia, with third and fourth year classes taught by UVA faculty via satellite at the community college campus. Seventy-two of these engineering students participate in the program with the sponsorship of 13 local companies.

“The whole initiative revolves around ‘local talent for local companies,’” says Stan Shoun, CVCC Vice President, Workforce Development and Continuing Education. A number of area colleges have established satellite or on-line presences in Central Virginia, including the Bluefield College’s four-year program blending liberal arts with career-oriented majors, MBA offerings from Averett University in Danville, Liberty University and Lynchburg College, and a weekend program tied to Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Attracting and Retaining Young Talent

With its mission being to attract and retain young talent in the area, the Young Professionals of Central Virginia (YPCV) is dedicated to finding new ways for young adults to connect with the community, grow personally and professionally, and to live life to its fullest.

Since hiring a full-time Executive Director, this non-profit volunteer group comprised of young business people has seen increased participation at its programs that include 5:35 social gatherings, quarterly business luncheons, Council meetings and service opportunities.

The strength of the Council has expanded since 2007, when it became a part of the Region 2000 Partnership. The Council works diligently as an integral part of the Region 2000 Partnership to meet its goals. Because the mission of the organization is two-fold—catering activities to young people and assisting local businesses in finding and keeping young professionals—the YPCV projects vary from meeting at a Hillcats baseball game to the Ambassador program— a program that consists of dedicated YPs who focus on welcoming other YPs to the Central Virginia area.

YP Ambassadors connect with local businesses to set up meetings with their new or prospective employees for lunch, coffee, or perhaps after-work socials. The meetings are designed to expose young professionals to the region and to answer their questions.

Offering Workforce Solutions

Sustaining an innovative system that produces a quality workforce committed to life long learning is the mission of the Workforce Investment Board, just one Region 2000 partner dedicated to fulfilling the employment needs of local businesses.

The Region 2000 Career Center is a one-stop service delivery site for the Region 2000 Workforce Investment Board. The center organizes employment, education and training services into a single system that supports regional prosperity. It completes the process of matching skilled employees with companies needing workers. In addition, the Virtual Career Center, a free online service, was created to assist individuals from their own home find a job, locate suitable education, research training programs and create resumes. Employers benefit from the Virtual Center by posting job openings and reviewing the resumes of potential employees.

Young Professionals of Central Virginia Vitals

The Council is comprised of approximately 15 members and is assisted by its Advisor Board of seasoned business men and women. The YPCV membership is approximately 300, with an average of 70 participating in events and socials.

Council meetings are held every first Tuesday of the month at the Region 2000 offices in the Bank of the James Building at 4 PM.

Contact Information:

• Executive Director: Jamie Quetglez
• Phone: (434) 847-1447
• Email: info@ypcentralva.org
• Website: www.ypcentralva.org

YP Hot Spots

Many area businesses offer free Wi-Fi Internet service to the community. This is just a condensed list of local hotpsots.

Free Wi-Fi Internet Service

Central Virginia Community College
3506 Wards Road
Lynchburg

Courtyard Marriott
4640 Murray Place
Lynchburg

Downtown Riverfront
210 8th Street
Lynchburg

Ham’s Restaurant
5704 Seminole Avenue
Lynchburg

Holiday Inn Select
601 Main Street
Lynchburg

Jones Memorial Library
2311 Memorial Avenue
Lynchburg

Liberty University
1971 University Boulevard
Lynchburg

Lynchburg General Hospital
1901 Tate Springs Road
Lynchburg

Lynchburg Public Library
2311 Memorial Avenue
Lynchburg

Lynchburg Regional Airport
4308 Wards Road
Campbell

Lynchburg Riverfront
Riverfront Downtown
Lynchburg

Kirkley Hotel & Confernce Center
2900 Candler’s Mountain Road
Lynchburg

Randolph College
2500 Rivermont Ave.
Lynchburg
 
Sweet Briar College Libraries
134 Chapel Road
Sweet Briar
 
The Federal Crest Inn
1101 Federal Street
Lynchburg
 
The Neighbors Place Café
Wyndhurst Drive
Lynchburg
 
The Residence Bed & Breakfast
2460 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg
 
Wingate Inn Lynchburg
3777 Candler’s Mountain Road
Lynchburg

Paid Wi-Fi Internet Service

Ivy Creek Farm
2812 Link Road
Lynchburg

Source: Region 2000 Technology Council 

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