Northern Virginia Community College is partnering with the City of Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia Career Works, and the SkillSource Group to ensure that community members affected by coronavirus are able to get back to work by receiving free education and workforce support services.
Manassas and Prince William County’s leadership forged this strategic partnership with a combined $1,900,000 in funding from the CARES Act to launch the ELEVATE program to provide free resources for those displaced workers. Additionally, this funding supports businesses in upskilling their workforce.
ELEVATE enhances the capacity of SkillSource, the City of Manassas, Prince William County and NOVA’s to provide jobseeker and employer services that are focused on the needs of individuals. Participants can start their training at NOVA in areas such as information technology, healthcare, professional education and English language skills (ESL), at no cost to the participant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most courses will be offered virtually; however, for courses in areas such as healthcare, in-person training options may be offered in heavily-monitored and sanitized settings at NOVA Manassas campus
This unique partnership offers participants a complete range of services from obtaining free education and certification, to support services such as transportation and stipends, and ends with job placement services, and in some programs guaranteed interview with a local employer. The benefit to the participants includes that these educational programs can be completed in a short few weeks, so interested participants need to act now to receive the full benefit of Elevate’s workforce program.
The grant cycle will run from September until the end of December. The earlier a participant can go through the application process; the more resources will be available. Funds for the program will continue until exhausted.
“We already have one of the strongest, most innovative, and productive workforces in the country,” said Christina Winn, executive director of the Prince William County Department of Economic Development. “These resources will not only help residents get back to work, but also return to the workforce armed with new skills and abilities that will help them advance in their careers, be more productive, and help make our economy more resilient.”
The college has used CARES Act funds to ensure that students affected by the pandemic are able to receive emergency funds. To date, NOVA has dispersed $5,393,350 to 8,819 students. The City of Manassas also used CARES Act funds to make small business grants. The City awarded 140 small businesses $2,500 each to help offset revenue losses. Prince William County also funded 462 businesses with $3.6m using Cares Act funding for a small business relief micro-grant.
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