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Community colleges outline training and incentive programs tied to recovery and workforce development
Summary
Southwest Virginia Community College and Mountain Empire Community College described local workforce training offerings and incentives, including Project SOAR ARC grant tuition support for Wildwood Recovery residents and MECC's Promise program that helped Dickinson County students complete college credit and degrees.
Representatives from two regional community colleges addressed the board about workforce training, dual-enrollment outcomes and recovery-focused educational assistance. Dr. Clint Hayes, representing Southwest Virginia Community College, explained technical programs out of the Southern Gap site (diesel mechanics, CDL and nursing) and sought engagement on locally needed credentials. "What is it that you need? What can we do to try to help, support the needs of Dickinson County?" Hayes asked.
Dr. Chris Westover of Mountain Empire Community College reported MECC was serving 1,934 students (about 1,295 FTE), down roughly 6% year over year, and highlighted MECC's Promise program that enrolled Dickinson County students (20 last fall, 18 returned in spring) and boasted a 93% retention rate among promise scholars. Westover also described Project SOAR, an Appalachian Regional Commission grant that will allow Wildwood Recovery residents to attend MECC tuition-free and access workforce credentials; the board discussed coordination with recovery providers and regional employers to place program graduates in local jobs.
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