Manassas Park EDA hears NOVA presentation on locally branded workforce training; committee to review data

Manassas Park — At its July 1 meeting the Manassas Park Economic Development Authority heard a presentation from Northern Virginia Community College on a locally branded workforce-training model the presenters said has helped residents earn short-term credentials and boost wages.

Jose Dimas, NOVA's government affairs director, thanked Manassas Park for sustained local support and said, "Your partnership is rooted in a commitment that goes back to 1976," describing local contributions as a key ingredient that supports student services and workforce training. NOVA staff described a program used in the nearby City of Manassas (the presenters used a locally branded name variously transcribed in the meeting records as “Grow,” “Grama” or “Grown Manassas”) that combines small local investments with state Fast Forward reimbursements to expand access to short-term credentials.

NOVA Vice President Steve Partridge said the model leverages state and other financial aid to stretch local dollars: presenters described a jurisdictional local contribution of roughly $40,000 a year that NOVA uses as "last dollar" funding alongside the state Fast Forward program. "Let's just say it's 40,000," Partridge said, adding that the local money can be used to draw down additional resources — the presenters described the combination producing the equivalent of about $120,000 of program support when state and other resources are counted.

Partridge and other NOVA staff highlighted program scale and early outcomes. They told the EDA the initiative reached about 1,500 residents in the target community, with roughly 300 applicants and slightly fewer who completed courses under the local brand. On outcomes, NOVA staff said Fast Forward reporting shows notable wage gains: "For Northern Virginia students, it's almost a 60% increase pre and post," Partridge said, describing a typical example of wage increases seen after short courses.

EDA members asked detailed questions about instructor credentials, curriculum approval and timelines. Dr. Lynch, identified in the presentation as the Manassas campus provost, said credit-bearing faculty generally meet traditional higher-education credentialing standards (for transfer courses that can mean a master's degree or equivalent) and that entirely new credit programs require state review, which can lengthen the approval timeline. By contrast, noncredit Fast Forward courses and short certificates can be stood up more quickly if they meet third-party credentialing and employer-support requirements.

On governance and implementation, City Manager Carl Cole told the EDA the governing body has no formal operational role in program delivery but can choose to promote, brand and augment a locally targeted offering. When asked about the governing body's role Cole replied simply, "None," in reference to operational control. NOVA staff said the program includes annual reporting back to sponsoring jurisdictions so local officials can see how funds are used and which credentials and employers are connecting to graduates.

Members discussed eligibility rules and residency thresholds, suggesting the city consider minimum residency requirements and a funding cap if applicants exceed available slots. On next steps Carl Cole said he would assemble NOVA's labor-market data, the proposed program menu and marketing/website requirements and distribute that package to the EDA for review. "I'll take care of it," Cole (S3) said, offering to drive the materials and coordinate timing for the committee to select offerings and a local brand.

The EDA did not take a formal vote to fund or adopt a local program at the July 1 meeting; the discussion ended with agreement to review NOVA's materials and consider the item at a future meeting. The meeting also included routine procedural business: agenda and minutes were approved by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned.