THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230551
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Education officials on Thursday proposed a statewide job-training program at Virginia's 23 community colleges.
The State Board for Community Colleges said it would request $1.75 million from the General Assembly to start the program next year.
The colleges would serve as ``one-stop work force development centers,'' offering training programs and career counseling. The program, called Virginia Works, would create more high-tech ``classrooms of the future,'' closer links to businesses and a statewide data base that would track job opportunities throughout Virginia.
``Community colleges are in a unique position to assist in statewide efforts to improve Virginia's competitiveness into the 21st century, both through their location and status in their communities and in the breadth of work force services they offer,'' said Arnold R. Oliver, chancellor of the community college system. ``This initiative could be a centerpiece for economic development efforts in the commonwealth over the next several years.''
The program, assistant chancellor Joy Graham said, would create a better-skilled and better-paid work force and would increase the state's tax revenues. by CNB