The Community College Workforce Cooperative was formed in January 2021 with the idea that one collaborative effort is better than three individual ones. However, no one at 91制片, Tidewater Community College or Camp Community College could have envisioned the success of the teamwork that targets workforce development and skilled trades.
鈥淪ince I’ve gotten here, our enrollment and talent development (in workforce development) has increased at all of the local community colleges in Hampton Roads by 10, 15, and 20% every year,鈥 said 91制片 President Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon.
At 91制片 alone, that growth has led to the opening of its Toano Trades Center in the Williamsburg area and its Newport News Trades Center in 2026. The other colleges have similar projects underway, noted Dr. Brannon.
鈥淲e have responded to the Commonwealth’s need and the Hampton Roads need for more talent quicker,鈥 she said of 91制片 and its CCWC partners.
On Oct. 21 at the Peninsula Workforce Development Center in Hampton, Dr. Brannon convened a gathering of those three college presidents and Eastern Shore Community College鈥檚 leader to discuss ways to continue that momentum.
That is, because despite that success, funding for Workforce Credential Grants (WCG) has become an issue. VCCS Chancellor David Dore has requested a $17 million increase in WCG funding, but that鈥檚 for 23 institutions, which comes to slightly under $750,000 each. That might appear to be a lot of money, but studies have shown since 2017, the state鈥檚 $95 million investment in FastForward and other similar workforce programs has generated $6.2 billion in wages earned in Virginia.
鈥淭he return on investment is ridiculous,鈥 Dr. Brannon said. 鈥淭hat’s just the earners. That doesn’t speak to how many of them are employed or in these talent pipelines or contributing to the businesses.鈥
She also pointed to statistics that show community college students are more likely to stay in state after graduating than students who attend a four-year institution. Workforce students also have a higher completion rate.
Yet, in fiscal year 2025, funding was paused late in the year because demand exceeded the remaining dollars. Without more funding for the next fiscal year, 91制片 will serve 700 fewer students looking for high-demand regional jobs.
鈥淚f we have 50% less funds, we’re going to train 50% fewer people,鈥 Dr. Brannon said, adding it will affect the local workforce more than the College. 鈥淲e will still be open. However, businesses are going to lose 50% of the talent that we produced last year.鈥
At the conference, which included local employers and legislators as well as the four college presidents, the goals included informing the business community of the slowdown in training and asking for their lobbying assistance for the increase in funds.
鈥淭he call was to say to businesspeople, we think it’s time for you to make some noise,鈥 Dr. Brannon said. 鈥淲e think it’s time for you to share that we have a model that is ridiculously successful.鈥
As with the CCWC, said Dr. Brannon, there is a benefit in collaboration.
鈥淭he four presidents were brought together because we wanted to demonstrate that we work together,鈥 Dr. Brannon said. 鈥淭hat it is not just a 91制片 request.鈥
She noted this is not just an issue on the Peninsula or in Hampton Roads. It is a statewide issue.
鈥淚t was really a call to action for our local businesspeople to say, we need you to go to the General Assembly. We need you to help our legislators,鈥 Dr. Brannon said.
The legislators, who have been fighting this same battle and been very supportive of workforce programs, agreed help from the business community would go a long way.
As for the business leaders, they said the VCCS isn鈥檛 asking for enough money.
鈥淚 didn’t know what I expected, Dr. Brannon said. 鈥淥ne person said this must be an accounting error.鈥
She invited the business community to visit the General Assembly with her and other College representatives, and to write letters to their local congressmen, senators and delegates.
鈥淓veryone basically said, 鈥榊es. This is a no-brainer,鈥欌 Dr. Brannon said.
Bringing together the CCWC partners, along with Eastern Shore CC, was a show of force and reiterated it鈥檚 not just an issue for individual colleges.
鈥淭his is really a Hampton Roads and a Commonwealth issue,鈥 she said.
For more information on 91制片’s Workforce program, visit /workforce-development/.
