For many of us, the beginning of a new year serves as a fresh start for the areas in our life we wish to improve. That may mean heading to the gym to start a healthier lifestyle, or it may mean looking for opportunities to better your career. Get started down the path to a…
“I’ve worked my share of dead-end jobs, and I know what it’s like to need a new start. That’s why I’m excited to be a FastForward Career Coach.” – Mike Frasnelli, Northern Virginia Community College Mike Frasnelli found his dream job in education and career counseling after being expelled from college and working a host…
For some people, being stuck behind the wheel can be a headache. For Kenneth, being in the driver’s seat gives him a sense of feeling and accomplishment – all thanks to his CDL-Class A credential earned through the FastForward workforce training program. Kenneth enrolled in the Commercial Driver’s License training program at the Community College…
FastForward trainees keep the lights on across Virginia
Published: November 29, 2017
Virginia’s rural electric cooperatives knew they faced a stark future if they did not act: short of enough workers with specialized skills, they would not be able to maintain the power grid across the countryside. To tackle what they termed “astounding” numbers of expected retirements in their ranks in the coming decade, electric co-ops joined…
Trained to Fly Drones, Prepared to Protect the Community
Published: November 2, 2017
Technology is constantly evolving and it’s becoming increasingly important for organizations to stay on top of trends and use the latest equipment. For Ben, a captain at the Stafford County Sheriff’s office, this meant enrolling in FastForward to help better serve the Stafford community by flying drones. Leading the Unmanned Aircraft System Team (aka the…
Making the decision to change your career, and your life, isn’t always an easy one. It can be an intimidating situation, but you shouldn’t let the fear of the unknown get in the way of a better career path. That’s where our FastForward Career Coaches come in. FastForward Career Coaches are here for you from…
Going from two part-time jobs to earning three credentials and a full-time job in the healthcare field in months is an impressive feat. And Kouri, a 24-year-old student from Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) did just that through the FastForward program. Through the FastForward program, Kouri was able to take classes at CVCC over a…
Student Success: A Former Inmate Maps Out Her Future
Published: August 8, 2017
For Andrea, FastForward has been nothing short of life changing. She was incarcerated for over eight years in a federal prison, and after serving her time, she knew she had to make a change. Thanks to funding support through FastForward, Andrea was on the road to improving her life. “When I got out of prison…
Student Success: Seven-Tour Veteran Helps Keep the Lights On
Published: August 2, 2017
Nate isn’t just strong-minded, he’s physically imposing, too. He served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 25th Infantry Division, and was medically retired from Joint Forces Special Operations, TRADOC. After making his return to civilian life, Nate was looking for something that gave him the same sense of brotherhood as the…