The demand for trained workers in industries like healthcare and IT continues to skyrocket. According to CNN, the U.S. will need to hire 2.3 million new health care workers by 2025. With the help of FastForward, Virginia’s Community Colleges are preparing students for local, in-demand jobs for healthcare and other major industries, so graduates are ready to enter the workforce immediately after earning a credential.
Here are three ways employers and FastForward can work together to build strong candidates and create the workforce Virginia needs to succeed.
Workforce training
One of the biggest assets available to both employers and Virginians of all ages is FastForward’s wide variety of workforce training programs. Training programs offered at each community college across the state are designed to meet the hiring needs of local companies and organizations. For example, Norfolk is home to a U.S. Naval station and Tidewater Community College offers dozens of workforce training programs in maritime and shipbuilding industries.
Support with hiring
Choosing the right hire can be a difficult process and requires understanding the needs of industry employees. FastForward offers support on navigating the hiring process, like tips on how to anticipate and handle seasonal workforce ebbs and flows.
Our community colleges are looking for community partners in the business community who can come speak to classrooms, offer guaranteed interviews and participate in campus career day events to help foster those connections between students and the open jobs where they live. We want to help you fill those roles, and we can open our doors so you can speak to students directly.
Upskilling the current workforce
FastForward training is a great way to upskill employees, providing opportunities for growth within their career. And by creating partnerships with your local community college, programs like apprenticeships become a viable option to prepare workers without having to spend human and fiscal resources to make all that happen in-house.
FastForward continues to evaluate the needs of Virginia businesses in order to make sure trainings are engaging and adequately preparing students for Virginia’s workforce.
Want to learn more about the connections between your business and your local community college? Visit our Information for Employers page, and reach out to learn more about opportunities where you do business.