Workforce Center Opens at Northern Virginia Community College

Provided, Prince William County:

Prince William County elected officials, Northern Virginia Community College representatives and community leaders helped cut a ribbon on Wednesday to open the Regional Center for Workforce Education and Training at the community college's Woodbridge Campus.

The 55,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art center — with training rooms, a testing center and conference rooms — will serve Northern Virginia businesses, along with government and military communities, by providing high–quality training to educate and produce an able, ready workforce.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart spoke at the ceremony and said the center — which will offer courses in cybersecurity, information technology, program management, health care and customized training — will help the county and its young people be prepared to make a living and be "prepared to make their communities a much better place."

Stewart said the county's $1 million investment, which was matched by $28 million from the state, was an investment that would pay off for years to come by keeping the area's workforce in step with future business developments. He went on to say that the highly-trained workforce that would come out of the center would attract businesses to the county. "This institution will be a catalyst for economic growth for decades going forward."

Jeff Kaczmarek, the Executive Director of the Prince William Department of Economic Development, echoed Stewart's comments and said businesses that are looking to move to the county look first for an educated workforce. "The number one, most important thing on the mind of every company that's considering a location, a relocation, an expansion, is a workforce."

"This is right on the money," Kaczmarek said of the center. "This is going to be an exciting opportunity."

Prince William Supervisor John D. Jenkins said the programs offered at the center will also help students who are just out of high school gain the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to get started on a career. "It's exciting for me to see the facility finally completed and to be participating in the ribbon cutting. Northern Virginia Community College continues to improve their campus by offering state-of-the-art facilities. Our partnership with NOVA allows us to develop the workforce of tomorrow."

Scott Ralls, the President of Northern Virginia Community College, said the center was virtually unrivaled in the state and perhaps the country. "I've had a lot of experience to know that this is one of the best in the United States, and that says something for Northern Virginia, for Prince William County."

Prince William Supervisors Maureen S. Caddigan and Frank J. Principi also attended the ceremony.