Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathways Initiative

Funded through the Ford Foundation and the Virginia Community College System

In August 2010, the Greater Peninsula was one of three regions selected from sixteen to be awarded a Regional Career Pathways Grant by the Virginia Community College System. Facilitated by the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development (PCFWD) and Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC), the grant, part of a Ford Foundation Grant to Virginia, was aimed at developing an integrated and coordinated Career Pathway System for high school students and adults at all levels. Partners include businesses, post-secondary education, adult education, and secondary education (both school divisions and New Horizons Regional Education Center).

The Peninsula grant focused on the Advanced and Precision Manufacturing Technologies Career Pathway. The program aligns economic and workforce systems through a Comprehensive Career Pathways Strategic Plan for Advanced Technology. This grant was used to conduct a labor market study of jobs in green and advanced technologies in manufacturing on the Virginia Peninsula from 2012 – 2016, including how changes in the economy and the emergence of green jobs will effect this sector. The data was used to develop a strategic plan to align programs, including GED and Middle College, to assist high school students and adults into those employment opportunities with the right skill sets.

While the grant period was August 2010 through December 31, 2011, work on this initiative continues today. Below you will find some of the activities happening to support this exciting initiative.

Roadmap to Success! A Strategic Plan for Career Pathways in Advanced Manufacturing
Click here to read the Roadmap to Success Strategic Plan

Skills to Succeed Inventory 2012 - 2016

View the Virginia Peninsula Career Pathways in Advance and Precision Manufacturing Technologies 2012-2016 Executive Summary and the Career Pathway Profiles reports.

For more information on the Regional Career Pathways project contact Shawn Avery at savery@pcfwd.org

Virginia Peninsula Career Pathways: website now live!
Click here to view the website - Advanced and Precision Manufacturing Technologies Careers in the Virginia Peninsula Region

Extreme Career Pathways: Presentation
Click here for the Career Pathways presentation that was presented at the HIRE Conference 2012.

Click here to view a CTE Technology training video produced by the City of Hampton

Virginia Peninsula Career Pathways Grant Collaborative Members

Dr. Deborah G. Wright – Thomas Nelson Community College

Matthew James – Peninsula Council for Workforce Development

Robert Baker – Alcoa Power and Propulsion

Rhonda Bunn – Canon, Virginia

Sandy Burns – Liebherr Mining

Jennifer McClain – Newport News Shipbuilding- A Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries

David Creamer - New Horizons Regional Education Centers

Jesse White – Hampton City Schools

Mary Ellen Dreybus – Hampton City Schools – Adult Education and GED Programs

Dr. Crystal Taylor – Newport News Public Schools

Ann Ifekwunigwe – Newport News Public Schools

Sandy Hespe – York County Public Schools

Dr. Linda Reviea – Poquoson Public Schools

Paul McLean – Gloucester County Public Schools

Sharmaine Grove – Williamsburg James City County Public Schools

Quincy Marrow – Williamsburg James City County Public Schools

Steve Cook – Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance

Dr. Melita Tomovic – Old Dominion University

Dr. John Olson – ECPI University

Patricia Taylor – Thomas Nelson Community College

John Calver – Thomas Nelson Community College / Advanced Manufacturing Center

Franz Albertini – Thomas Nelson Community College / Middle College

Kris Rarig – Thomas Nelson Community College / Career Pathways Consortium

Shawn Avery – Peninsula Council for Workforce Development

Leonard Sledge - College of William and Mary

Hampton University

Norfolk State University