FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC SETS CAREER READINESS TRAINING PROGRAM

            DANVILLE, VA, February 1, 2005 -- A Career Readiness Training Program, designed to

The first participants in Danville Community College’s Career Readiness Training Program will receive the training and skills necessary to prepare them for the workplace or to qualify for one of Virginia’s new Career Readiness Certificates. Shown (front row, left to right), are:  Dana McGuire, Rhonda McLaughlin, Nancy Flippen, Aniece Gore,  Dierdre Henderson, and Tameka Slade. (back row): Richard Oliver, Teresa Hunt, Latoya Slade, Deborah Graves, Katina Gunn, and Sterling McCain. Not pictured is Tara Sherman.

 prepare individuals for the workplace and strengthen the skills needed to qualify for one of Virginia’s Career Readiness Certificates (CRC), is a new program being offered by Danville Community College’s Regional Center for Advanced Technology and Training (RCATT) . The program was created in response to Governor Mark Warner’s workforce development initiatives.

            “This program was created as a supporting initiative after the introduction of the Career Readiness Certificates by Governor Mark Warner last fall,” said Nettie Simon-Owens, DCC Coordinator of Workforce Services. “Our step-by-step process allows us to assess participants, determine their training needs and offer them the classes, instruction, and related activities that will develop their skills accordingly.”

            The program is being piloted by DCC with support and funding received by the Danville Division of Social Services (DDSS) and the Virginia Department of Social Services. DDSS currently has 14 clients in the inaugural training program.

            To begin the training program, participants are required to complete a DCC admissions application, after which an initial assessment using the ACT WorkKeys Assessments will be administered. Simon-Owens said the areas of assessment include reading for information, applied math and locating information. The results determine current skill levels and identify skill gaps that need to be addressed with further training. 

            “We use KeyTrain software as a way to address and improve identified skill gaps. It is individualized computer-based training designed to help participants become familiar with computer-based training while improving related workplace skills,” Simon-Owens said. “Additional instructor-led training in this program covers areas such as interpersonal skills, preparation for employment, personal finances and budgeting. Individual development plans are created for each participant.” 

            She added that participants who successfully complete the program can earn four college credits. At the conclusion of the training program, individuals are assessed again with the ACT WorkKeys to determine areas of improvement and the level of workplace readiness they have achieved.

            In addition to the college credit, participants can earn one of three levels of Virginia’s Career Readiness Certificates based upon assessment results. The program’s multi-level approach allows individuals to advance through the levels as they refine their skills. The CRC’s can only be issued by designated administrators in Virginia’s community colleges.  Each certificate is numbered, includes the Seal of Virginia, and will be registered into a statewide database. Simon-Owens explained that the database provides interested parties, especially businesses and economic development organizations, with aggregate CRC data by locality and region.  

             We are excited because of the enthusiasm and eagerness of the participants to improve themselves,” Simon-Owens said. “The participants believe they can benefit from this program and they see value in what we are offering them. Their energy levels and participation have been great so far.”

            DCC and Patrick Henry Community College worked together to develop the components of the training program, which is part of the “Education for a Lifetime” campaign.  Simon-Owens served on the Governor’s Career Readiness Certificate Taskforce that developed this new initiative, and she is DCC’s contact for the CRC. 

             “Our plan for the future is to offer this training program throughout DCC’s service region, and we’re looking forward to participation from other agencies, companies and individuals,” Simon-Owens said. “Additionally, the Career Readiness Training Program can be scheduled to meet the timeframes needed by participants.  We have the flexibility of offering the components in varying blocks of time and will work with any sponsoring agency/business to set up a schedule that best meets their needs.”

            She added that Individuals can take the ACT WorkKeys Assessments to qualify for the CRC independently. In addition, she will be working with the Virginia Workforce Investment Centers (One-Stop Centers).

            For more information about Virginia’s Career Readiness Certificate, the Career Readiness Training Program, or ACT’s WorkKeys System which includes Job Profiling and Assessments, contact Nettie Simon-Owens at (434) 773-3048. More information about Virginia’s Career Readiness Certificate can be found at http://www.knowhowvirginia.org/crc/.