Danville Community College (DCC), alongside Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) and Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC), successfully hosted a landmark signing event on October 14th, 2024, marking a significant milestone in workforce development for the region.

The event celebrated the formal commitment of the three community colleges to expand building trades training programs across the southern Virginia region through Career and Technical Education (CTE) academies, dual enrollment opportunities, and early college programs.

The collaboration is designed to address the growing demand for skilled labor in the construction and building trades sectors—a critical need for the region’s economic growth and to combat the ongoing housing shortage. The signing event, held at Danville Community College’s main campus, brought together leadership from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the three community colleges, local school divisions, and regional industry partners.

Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, underscored the importance of the collaboration, stating, “Regional collaboration between our colleges and industry are critically important, both to our understanding of the Commonwealth’s workforce needs and the ability to expand training programs that are in great demand from employers. These include construction and building trades in Region 3. I am grateful to our colleges, local school divisions, and partners for their continued innovation and commitment to providing life-changing opportunities for Virginians in Region 3 and throughout the Commonwealth.”

Dr. Jerry Wallace, President of Danville Community College, hailed the event as a pivotal moment for southern Virginia. “Today’s signing signifies the strength of our regional collaboration and our shared commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of driving the construction and housing industries forward,” said Dr. Wallace. “By aligning resources and expertise, we are ensuring that students across Region 3 in southern Virginia have access to the training and education they need to succeed in these high-demand fields.”

Dr. Greg Hodges, President of Patrick & Henry Community College, echoed these sentiments, adding, “Our goal is to ensure students earn a degree or credential that will ensure their future success. We are honored to partner with other Region 3 institutions to support students as they work toward a financially stable future in a career that is both critical for our area and of great worth regardless of where they choose to live.”

Dr. Quentin R. Johnson, President of Southside Virginia Community College, emphasized the long-term benefits of the collaboration. “We recognize that collaboration is key to empowering our communities. Partnering with DCC and P&HCC allows us to enhance workforce training initiatives, ensuring that our students gain the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving job market. Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient workforce for our region.”

In their joint letter of commitment, the presidents of all three community colleges pledged to invest in the expansion and development of construction trades training programs. Recent efforts include new workforce programs, expanded certifications and apprenticeships, additional faculty positions, and the development of state-of-the-art learning facilities.

Working closely with local school divisions, the colleges will enhance access to innovative academic pathways to provide high school students with early exposure to careers in the construction trades, positioning them for success in the workforce.

“Virginia’s community colleges are dedicated to providing educational opportunities that strengthen individuals and the communities we serve,” added Dr. Wallace. “This partnership between DCC, SVCC, and P&HCC is a powerful example of how collaboration can meet the growing needs of our region.”

The event underscored the VCCS’s role as a leading provider of high-quality training and education tailored to the needs of regional employers. This joint initiative highlights the commitment of the region’s community colleges to support and grow the construction and building trades workforce in the region.

For more information about Virginia’s Community Colleges, visit: vccs.edu

For more information about Region 3 Community Colleges, visit: danville.edu, southside.edu, and patrickhenry.edu.