Workforce and Continuing Education/Workforce Training
Fine Arts Center
The Fine Arts Center features two art galleries, two ceramic studios with 26 wheels, and an intimate black box theatre. The goal of the Fine Arts Center is to provide a rewarding experience for visitors of all ages interested in art, music, pottery, dance, and drama. Art exhibitions are featured throughout the year: https://www.brcc.edu/fac/exhibitions/, each launched with an opening reception providing an opportunity to meet the artist(s). Fall and spring event lineups include professional theatre groups, musicians, dance troupes, historical presentations, and student productions. Visit http://www.brcc.edu/fac/ for details on current exhibitions and performances. Students are admitted free to most performances.
Personal Enrichment
In support of the College’s values encouraging lifelong learning and providing resources for the intellectual growth and enrichment of the community, Workforce and Continuing Education offers an array of personal enrichment courses, leisure activities, and cultural events.
Youth Programs
The “Learning Creates Brighter Futures” (LCBF) summer youth program offers a “hands-on” approach to a variety of fascinating topics for students preparing to enter grades 6-12. Children are grouped appropriately by grade level; class size is kept to a minimum to allow for flexibility and individual instruction. Topics range from theatre, music and art to computers and science.
During the school year, BRCC offers Saturday youth theatre workshops. Hands-on learning, culminating in a live performance, offers students a chance to explore and share their creativity.
Workforce Training
Workforce and Continuing Education provides a dynamic program of workforce development services, supporting community and economic development initiatives to promote an excellent quality of life and prosperous business climate for the region.
Workforce Training for Individuals
Workforce and Continuing Education offers a number of courses to prepare individuals to enter new career fields or enhance their current job performance, with topics ranging from management, supervision, and human resources to teamwork, communication, customer service and manufacturing. Industry-specific training opportunities include welding, machining, Basic Contractor Business Licensing, license renewal courses for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and gas fitter tradesmen. Additionally, Workforce and Continuing Education hosts online courses and career certificate opportunities from nationally recognized vendors.
The College offers other open enrollment workforce programs, among them:
Career Switchers—Virginia’s Community Colleges offer a fast track alternative licensure program-EducateVA-a statewide initiative to address critical shortages in the teaching profession throughout the state, allowing you to bring your dream of teaching to reality. Visit http://educateva.com/.
Healthcare Training—Short-term training opportunities in growing healthcare fields, which lead to certifications. Among current offerings are Nurse Aide, Clinical Medical Assistant, Medical Administrative Assistant, Registered Medical Assistant, Medical Coding, EKG Technician, Medication Aide and Phlebotomy training.
Information Technology & Computer Skills—High-quality, hands-on computer training to individuals and businesses throughout the central Shenandoah Valley. Training is offered in state-of-the-art computer labs on the Weyers Cave campus or on-line. Customized computer training courses can also be offered on-site at area businesses.
Transportation and Logistics—Instruction to equip beginning or experienced drivers with the skills they need to earn a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). A full-time, five-week tractor-trailer driving (Class A) program is offered. Customized training for companies is also available. All programs feature classroom, practice range, and extensive hands-on, over-the-road training.
Welding and Machining—Welding and machining courses from introductory to advanced; welding classes prepare students for American Welding Society(AWS) certifications and machining courses for National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications. The BRCC Welding Facility is located at 4901 Crowe Drive, Mt. Crawford, VA.
Workforce Services for Employers
In addition to meeting the needs of individuals, BRCC’s Workforce and Continuing Education team provides top quality educational and training services to address the existing and emerging workforce development needs of area employers.
Needs Assessment: Using comprehensive needs assessments, we help area employers identify their immediate and long-range training goals.
Customized Training: Workforce and Continuing Education specializes in providing customized training tailored to meet the specific needs of employers. Training programs feature flexible scheduling and convenient locations. Employers may choose to have customized training programs offered at their own facility or the College’s Plecker Workforce Center on the Weyers Cave Campus. Topics include: communication skills (technical reading, writing, listening, speaking, and conflict resolution); problem-solving/decision-making skills; customer service; employee relations; computer skills; supervisory and management skills (including team-building and time management); leadership skills; and other specialized topics, such as ISO9001 and safety training. Workforce and Continuing Education also offers pre-employment training and assessment services for area employers.
Job Analysis and Skills Assessment: We use the WorkKeys® system to help employers determine “job fit” between their positions and their employees. Companies that use validated assessments typically achieve substantial benefits, including: improved employee selection and advancement procedures; reductions in overtime, training time, and turnover; increased productivity and employee morale; and fewer legal challenges to hiring processes.
For additional details on Workforce and Continuing Education programs and services, please visit https://www.brcc.edu/workforce-development/or call 540-453-2215.