Governor Northam's $30 Million 'Re-Employing Virginians' Workforce Initiative will Support NOVA Students

ANNANDALE, Va., Nov. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Governor Ralph Northam has recently announced the 'Re-Employing Virginians' (REV) initiative to offer funding for training to unemployed Virginians, which then gives Virginia's Community Colleges $27 million to help current and future students cover the costs of tuition and fees in fields that will lead to careers in their community. NOVA's allocation from the new REV initiative is $5.8M; which will provide first-dollar tuition-only scholarships to eligible individuals who enroll in NOVA's state-approved Fast Forward and G3 programs.

"The unemployment rate in Northern Virginia has more than doubled during the pandemic, significantly impacting the financial future of residents," said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA. "REV tuition vouchers help current and new NOVA students restart their careers and cross the finish line to complete workforce degrees or short-term credentials. We are grateful to Governor Northam and the state for this important investment."

The REV initiative will provide one-time scholarships of $3,000 to register in a qualifying full-time workforce program and $1,500 to register part-time or in a short-term, noncredit training program. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads Local Workforce Development Areas will administer the CARES Act funding for the REV initiative, with $27 million allocated to VCCS for statewide programs and $3 million for the two workforce areas.

"What REV means for Northern Virginia is someone potentially getting back into the workforce within a few short weeks on the path toward a new high-demand career," said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. "We have more than 80,000 open jobs throughout Northern Virginia right now – even during the pandemic – and this initiative is another avenue toward connecting job-seekers with these companies so they can grow and succeed here."

"If you have lost your job, or seen a reduction in your hours and paycheck, Virginia's community colleges want to help you," said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. "The REV initiative offers you another way into the short-term credential and degree programs that prepare you for a high-demand career."

"The pandemic has created barriers to student success unlike anything I've seen in over two and half decades in higher education." said Rosie O'Neil, NOVA Board Chair. "A program like REV will remove financial barriers and give students significant opportunities to gain new skills, renewed confidence and most importantly, new good paying jobs!"

"Virginians who have been furloughed, had hours reduced, or lost a job because of the pandemic are struggling and wondering what the future holds," said Governor Northam. "Investing in programs that help people develop skills in high-demand fields is a win for workers, employers, and our economy."

Interested individuals should visit the NOVA REV website, and current NOVA students should contact their advisors as soon as possible to apply before the December 14, 2020 enrollment deadline. Please visit the NOVA's REV site for more information on programs and eligibility.

Media Contact: Hoang Nguyen | [email protected]|240.620.9652
Program Contact: Tykesha Myrick | [email protected] | 703.878.5863

Northern Virginia Community College is the largest institution of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia and one of America's largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 75,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge, and through NOVA Online. For more information about NOVA and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit the College's Web site, http://www.nvcc.edu.

SOURCE Northern Virginia Community College

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http://www.nvcc.edu/