by Wendy Harrison

FRANKLIN
Paul D. Camp Community College announced support of the recently launched Growth4VA campaign, which is focused on promoting reform and reinvestment in Virginia’s nationally acclaimed higher education system. The campaign’s purpose is to help grow the Commonwealth’s economy, expand access to education and job opportunities for all Virginians, and regain the state’s no. 1 ranking for business.

Virginia’s colleges, universities and community colleges are stepping up to help achieve these goals. Working with our partners in the business community, we will be offering practical policies and creative ideas focused on four strategies:

• Make Virginia the Top State for Talent

• Become recognized as the Home of Innovators and Entrepreneurs

• Prepare Virginians for Great Jobs and Great Lives

• Provide Affordable Access for All Virginians

PDCCC has been and will continue working with business leaders to develop programs that lead students straight to the careers that are in high demand in the college’s service region, which is encompassed by the cities of Franklin and Suffolk, and the counties of Southampton and Isle of Wight.

“This approach is also beneficial to our local business and industry,” said PDCCC President Dr. Daniel Lufkin, who had already begun responding to community feedback regarding new programs since he came on board in June 2016. “By tailoring curricula according to their needs, we know that we are offering relevant programs that will provide skilled workers who will be able to secure jobs within our own community.”

A number of programs have been launched, including new CDL sessions that include weekend classes in Suffolk, an industrial maintenance electrical and instrumentation program in Suffolk, a new CNA program in Smithfield, and new warehousing and distribution curriculum in Franklin.

“We will continue to assess and track the success of our programs and react accordingly, staying on top of the needs of our local partners,” he said.

Growth4VA is a campaign of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and has been endorsed by all 15 of Virginia’s public higher education institutions and the Virginia Community College System. To learn more about the Growth4VA campaign, including the current economic impact of Virginia’s higher education system and the Growth4VA coalition’s plans for expanding economic growth and opportunity in Virginia, visit the campaign website at www.Growth4VA.com.

WENDY HARRISON is the public relations specialist for PDCCC. Contact her via email at wharrison@pdc.edu.