Training Workers in Emerging Fields
In pursuit of its strategy to increase the percentage of people who earn a livable wage in the region, the Foundation is adding new investment into two innovative workforce education programs. During 2021, the Foundation committed $100,000 in matching funds to Richard Bland College and the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing to help the partners secure competitive state funding to establish an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program. The model, designed by the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME), combines college coursework with paid, on-the-job training and experience as well as personal behavior and core manufacturing skills desired by manufacturers. After five semesters, program participants earn an associate of science degree and the Advanced Manufacturing Technician certification from Richard Bland College. The launch is the first replication of the FAME program in Virginia and only the second on the east coast.
Under the model established by FAME, students take classes at Richard Bland College two days a week while working in paid positions for the rest of the week with sponsoring businesses (pictured here). The projected average salary for FAME program graduates is $50,000-$60,000.
The last few years also have shepherded an emergent pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster in Petersburg, with AMPAC Fine Chemicals, Phlow Corp. and generic drug manufacturer Civica Rx all ramping up drug production locally and bringing new job opportunities. To prepare residents of Cameron’s service area for these jobs, the Foundation has most recently awarded $241,160 to Brightpoint Community College for creation of a pharmaceutical manufacturing training program at the Community College Workforce Alliance. The Petersburg pharmaceutical manufacturing cluster expects to generate approximately 100 new pharmacy technician positions locally with average annual salaries of $65,000–$75,000.
To read more stories like this, visit the Foundation’s 2020/21 Biennial Report.