Vocational programs run the gamut, from forestry to funeral services

by Heather B. Hayes
for Virginia Business
April 2007

Want to run a vineyard? Operate a resort golf course? Help design the next generation of nuclear submarines? Courses designed to help students enter these niche fields — along with many others — are being offered at Virginia’s community colleges. The two-year schools are also well-equipped to design training programs that help fill the needs of local employers.

“The reason many of them are so nontraditional in nature is because they often fill a need that has been identified by a business or local industry,” says Jeff Kraus, assistant vice chancellor for public affairs at the Virginia Community College System.

“And that’s important because in today’s competitive environment, when it comes to attracting and retaining employers, the kind of quality, flexibility and partnerships that community colleges can provide for employers will be a pretty significant factor in our ability to do that.”

Niche programs run the gamut. At The Homestead in Hot Springs, for example, most chefs, hospitality workers, massage therapists and golf operations managers received their training in programs designed specifically for the resort by nearby Dabney Lancaster Community College.

Meanwhile, Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville is turning out vineyard managers, winemakers and wine marketing strategists for local vineyards and wineries.

Tidewater, Thomas Nelson, Rappahannock and Paul D. Camp community colleges are working with Northrop Grumman Newport News on a Design Co-Op Work-Study program developing the next generation of marine designers at the shipyard.

And Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg is looking into developing programs in equine technology and farriery to meet the needs of horse operations in surrounding counties.
Other programs developed for or in conjunction with local businesses include:

• Motorsports technology, Patrick Henry Community College, Martinsville.

• Fire science, Tidewater Community College, South Hampton Roads.

• Veterinary assisting, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave.

• Funeral services, John Tyler Community College, Chester.

• Forestry technology, Dabney Lancaster Community College, Clifton Forge.

• Culinary arts and hospitality, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond.

• Nuclear support technologies, Central Virginia Community College, Altavista.

• Marine trades, Rappahannock Community College, Glenns.