Workforce Solutions to Host Apprenticeship Hangouts On Air Live Presentation November 15

Technician working on fan

Event is part of second annual National Apprenticeship Week

Middletown — Laurel Ridge Community College Workforce Solutions, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, today announced that it will host an Apprenticeship Hangouts On Air Live Presentation on November 15, 2016, at 8:30 AM as part of the second annual National Apprenticeship Week.

The event will feature a presentation about LFCC’s successful Apprenticeship program, as well how the Virginia State Apprenticeship program works and the benefits to you as an employer.  You will hear more about the new $4 million V2V American Apprenticeship Grant that was awarded to the Shenandoah Valley Workforce Development Board to assist training new apprentices.   Watch from your computer or phone for this presentation to find out why Apprenticeship is the new buzzword.

Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions has offered Apprenticeship programs since the late 1990’s and has trained employees in fields like Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC and Advanced Manufacturing.

“The apprenticeship program we’re running, in partnership with Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions, has transformed our Winchester team,” said Jay Ashton on Southern Air Inc.  “Since it’s founding in 2012 we have been able to organically grow HVAC service technicians, our productivity has increased and turnover has been effectively eliminated.  Most important though is that by investing in the professional growth of our technicians we have also invested in their personal growth.  I encourage those seeking a well paying and satisfying trade to attend the open house event, participate in the quiz giveaway and learn how an Apprenticeship program can benefit them and their families.  Businesses in the local community should also participate if they want to experience increased productivity and team commitment.”

Apprenticeship is an “earn and learn” training model that combines work-based learning with related classroom instruction using the highest industry standards. According to Todd Cook, Apprenticeship Consultant with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry, companies that offer Apprenticeship programs can diversify their workforce, improve productivity and profitability, standardize training, reduce turnover, receive tax credits and more.

“While 75 years ago, the apprenticeship system began in construction and other skilled trades, today there are apprenticeships in more than 1,000 occupations, including careers in manufacturing, IT, energy and more,” said Cook. “The goal of the National Apprenticeship Week and events offered by Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions is to educate businesses and leaders about the importance of Apprenticeship programs. These programs can lead to great jobs that also help positively impact our economy. ”

The U.S. currently has approximately 375,000 apprentices working with more than 150,000 employers. Last year, President Obama established a goal of doubling the number of Apprenticeships within five years. The inaugural National Apprenticeship Week is one of the several initiatives helping achieve that goal.

Dozens of Apprenticeship USA supporters and stakeholders have committed to participating and hosting events in support of National Apprenticeship Week. Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions will support this week with the Apprenticeship Hangouts On Air Live Presentation – Learn More/Register Here and the Fauquier Trades Open House on December 1, 2016, at the Boys and Girls Club of Fauquier. For information on this Fauquier Trades Open House and visit LFCCWorkforce.com or call 540-868-7021.

ABOUT NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for the Apprenticeship community to tell the story of apprenticeships and is an invitation to business and industry, education, career seekers, community-based organizations, students, and workers to learn about the real world advantages of developing careers through the adoption of the apprenticeship model. Apprenticeship is for those who aspire to be great, lead in innovation and creativity, strive to innovate in business and industry, and recognize the value of combining paid on the job learning coupled with a substantial educational component to build generational greatness in careers and commerce.

 

ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPUSA

https://www.dol.gov/featured/apprenticeship

About Laurel Ridge Community College

Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With four locations — Middletown, Warrenton, Luray-Page County and most recently, Vint Hill— the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.

Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College. Laurel Ridge does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, political affiliation or disability in its programs or activities.
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