Reynolds’ workforce development partnership with John
Tyler Community College, the Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA), walked away with three
outstanding recognitions at the recent VCCS Annual Workforce Development HIRE
Education Conference in Roanoke.
Wes Smith was awarded the Chancellor’s
Award for Occupation-Specific Instruction and Services.
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| Wes Smith (R) with VCCS Chancellor Dr. DuBois |
The Chancellor’s
citation noted that Wes spearheaded CCWA’s Higher Education Equipment Trust
Fund submission to acquire a mobile Advanced Manufacturing Learning Lab,
working with several vendors to appropriately outfit the lab with equipment for
maximum utility and flexibility. The outcome of his efforts is a vehicle
capable of delivering a myriad of instructional offerings from hands-on CNC,
PLC, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechatronics training to information
technology instruction. Simultaneously, in support of CCWA’s focus on
credentials, Wes initiated the credentialing of instructors in support of the Virginia Manufacturing Association’s Manufacturing
Technician I and has now offered the course three times with
excellent results (46 credentials being awarded). As a direct result of his
work with the industry, CCWA has been recognized as VMA’s Partner of the Year. Additionally,
Wes led the grant writing and coordination effort with a four-college
submission to the United States Department of
Labor which resulted in a $2.9 Million American Apprenticeship grant. Wes will
supervise this five-year grant with a target to create 300 apprenticeships in
the region.
Suzanne
Etherington was
awarded the Expanding Opportunities Award. The citation noted that in
addition to being a leading contributor to CCWA’s success through her execution
of duties as a Client Solutions Manager, she was directly responsible for CCWA
becoming the principal out-sourced training department for a major national
employer. Through this partnership, Suzanne has led CCWA’s transition from
providing and/or identifying training courses to CCWA establishing the
company’s corporate career and professional development programs. Additionally,
she was instrumental in developing a major manufacturing corporation’s
international training program and leading the company to launch an
apprenticeship program being delivered through the academic divisions of the
colleges. Suzanne also developed a strong relationship with the headquarters of
a state agency which has resulted in CCWA designing the agency’s e-learning
program.
Finally, the
CCWA team walked away with the Institutes of Excellence Award. This
award goes to the college that uses seed funds
from the VCCS to develop new curricula and/or programs to provide new services
to clients. CCWA used funds to develop a new series of Project Management Professional (PMP) certification training and to
develop a certification assessment system for the Virginia Fire Marshal. This
online system allows companies who desire to use explosives in Virginia to gain
the required certification. Natalie Meredith, Suzanne Etherington and Dave
Morales were the principal contributors to these efforts.
Congratulations
CCWA!!
