Workforce Development

“I gained tremendously from my participation in the WDA, both personally and professionally.  My expectations for the academy were met and exceeded.  I appreciate and applaud the developers of the WDA, not only for recognizing the need for comprehensive training of workforce development professionals, but also for following through and implementing their vision.  I believe that this academy should be a recommended training for all Economic Development Agencies and Workforce Investment Boards.” Specific strengths of the WDA include:

• The diversity of the academy attendees added so much to the learning environment; the perspectives from economic development, community colleges, youth programs, and others demonstrated the importance of collaboration.


• The range of topics covered were accurate reflections of the multitude of issues and concerns that workforce development professionals face.


• The workshop presenters were contemporary, experienced, responsive, and approachable.


• The classroom materials were practical, useful, and up-to-date.


• The best-practice sharing allowed me to see what others are doing and how it could fit into my organization. I made a very good contact for one of my programs that we are having a difficult time with.


• I was able to crystallize my mission; the training was not just about workforce development professionals serving others, but also about how we could grow professionally. I especially enjoyed the presentation about the many career options that are available in this profession.


• The location was an excellent departure from the standard ‘conference arenas’ and the fellowship were priceless, absolutely priceless!”

Najmah Thomas, Program & Fiscal Services Specialist, Crater Regional Workforce Investment Group (CRWIG) 

“I thought the WDA was wonderful.   It was well organized and, informative, with fantastic speakers, and packed with great resource information for our future use as Workforce Development Professionals.  I am looking forward to using the information provided, the contacts made during class, and the wonderful follow-up resource materials as valuable resources to make my job much easier and also benefit the staff.” 

Etta Morehouse, WIA Coordinator for Crater Workforce Region, Area XV, Emporia and Tri-Cities One-Stop Centers Virginia Employment Commission/Virginia Workforce Center

“I thoroughly enjoyed the WDA and came away feeling much better prepared to do my job as Workforce Development Coordinator at Virginia Highlands Community College.  After completing the Academy, I had a much broader picture of workforce development.  The Academy afforded me the opportunity to network with great folks from a variety of backgrounds and workforce agencies.  I learned as much from my peers as I did from the wide range of excellent presenters.  I would highly recommend this course to anyone involved in workforce or economic development no matter how long they've been in the business.”

K. Beth Duffield, Workforce Development Coordinator, Center for Business & Industry, Virginia Highlands Community College

“As a workforce development professional, my job is to focus on the career plans and advancement of others. The WDA gave me the opportunity to focus on my own.”  (Matt also completed the U.Va. Graduate Certificate in Workforce Development)

Matthew Vaughan, Center Operations Manager, Fairfax County Department of Family Services 

“The WDA was a wonderful and very memorable weeklong learning experience.  The highlights were meeting and hearing from important figures in the VCCS; hearing from experts about interesting areas of workforce development research (e.g. “experience engineering”, generational issues in the workplace, etc.).  Most of all, I appreciated the opportunity to share experiences and learn with such committed and dedicated cohorts in the world of workforce development.  Dinner at the King Family Vineyards was delicious and a great time too.” 

Rebecca Ward, Program Manager, Contract Training and Development, Piedmont Virginia Community College

“The WDA makes the challenges employers face today come alive. Opportunities to visit and interact with industry representatives who can benefit most from the services we provide are invaluable.”

Bill Pence, PHR, Coordinator of Business and Industry Training, Workforce Solutions, Lord Fairfax Community College

“It was very uplifting, refreshing and motivating.  I received so many new ideas to work with for the customers and clients we serve.  I felt overwhelmed with great information, but it was in a very positive way.  I hope our clients will receive some of the benefits that we received from the training and it will make them more marketable for today’s employer needs.  This has been one of the best training experiences I’ve ever participated in during all my years with the WIA program.”   

Nadine A. Armstrong, Program Manager Culpeper/Charlottesville Piedmont Works DWP Part of the Piedmont Workforce Network

“WDA has enhanced the skills and resources of the TNCC Workforce Development staff to respond quickly and creatively to the changing and emerging workforce needs of our community. It has increased their collaborative power by positioning them in the Academy with others who represent all aspects of a comprehensive regional workforce preparation, employment and development system.  And it has given them access to valuable networks of olutions-focused experts. Eighty percent of our workforce development supervisors and account managers have completed the sessions and strongly recommend it to their peers. Great job!”

Deborah George Wright, Vice President for Workforce Development, Thomas Nelson Community College, Hampton, Va.