Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission Archives

February 25, 2025

Apprenticeship For Different Sectors

Registered Apprenticeship programs have traditionally been associated with building trades, such as plumbing and electrical, and service trades like cosmetology and barbering.

However, employers across Southern Virginia are rethinking how Registered Apprenticeship can serve new industries, showing that these programs are adaptable, accessible and effective.

With support from the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program offered by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), diverse businesses are launching customized apprenticeship programs to meet their unique needs.

Danville-based Kegerreis Digital Marketing launched apprenticeship programs in four non-traditional roles to expand their possible candidate pool. Red Oak Excavating in Charlotte County now runs the only Heavy Equipment Operator Registered Apprenticeship in GO Virginia Region 3 (which covers 15 localities across Southern Virginia) as a way to upskill current employees and grow their workforce. Both have leveraged resources and support from the ExTRA program to create and implement their programs.

“Employers across the region can rely on ExTRA for the thorough and ongoing support they need to create and grow effective Registered Apprenticeship programs.” – Natori Neal, IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator

Learn More about Apprenticeship Support

An Effective Workforce Development Strategy

A Registered Apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related technical instruction. Apprentices earn a wage while learning and receive pay increases tied to acquired skills. Employers benefit by “growing their own” skilled workforce aligned with company culture and goals.

IALR’s ExTRA program helps employers register apprentices, develop training plans and connect with education and workforce partners. Businesses may also receive grant funding of up to $2,700 per apprentice per year to support the cost of related technical instruction.

Apprenticeship bridges the gap between education and employment in fields like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and more.

Funded by a nearly $500,000 Tobacco Revitalization Commission grant, the ExTRA program has played a vital role in expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities by supporting employers – as evidenced by the Apprenticeship Ambassador Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. IALR is approved by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) Division of Registered Apprenticeship as a state apprenticeship intermediary.

Since 2022, ExTRA has supported:

27 employers in the creation of
30 new registered apprenticeship programs, which has resulted in
94 registered apprentices

The program has also assisted employers with existing programs to revitalize and scale their efforts. The ExTRA program has even supported the launch and successful implementation of Virginia’s first EMT and Paramedic Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Natori Neal, IALR Apprenticeship Coordinator who runs the ExTRA program, says apprenticeship can be adopted in many industries. There are over 1,000 apprenticeable occupation options.

A statewide and national push exists for Registered Apprenticeship in emerging sectors, making them a viable alternative to traditional education in various fields.

Kegerreis Digital Marketing: Innovating Talent Development

One example of a nontraditional apprenticeship program is at Kegerreis Digital Marketing, which has four occupations registered: Technical Sales Specialist, UX Designer, Software Developer and Digital Marketer. Each program lasts 18 months and combines hands-on learning with instruction and mentoring.

“We don’t always struggle to find qualified applicants, but we want people who want to invest in the community and grow with our company,” said Emily Iem, Director of Service Delivery at Kegerreis. “We may find people with less experience or looking to change their career. Apprenticeship is a great way to give them structured experience and a clear growth plan.”

One apprentice, Manfred Nissley, started at Kegerreis in August 2024. Nissley has two master’s degrees in Library Information Studies and Archival Studies but wanted to switch gears and pursue a career in digital marketing.

“This apprenticeship program is a fantastic way to gain a lot of knowledge in a short time while working full-time,” he said. “I have a mentor teaching me the ropes of advertising and the details of Google. I’ve learned about adapting, changing plans and improving in the long run.”

Manfred Nissley

Kegerreis also uses a Rural IT grant from the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center to help offset training costs.

“The support from IALR has been amazing as we launched these programs, made changes and had questions,” Iem said. “Apprenticeship allows us to give people tasks to do while they’re learning and to break up the education with real, hands-on experience.”

Red Oak Excavating—Heavy Equipment Operators

Red Oak Excavating decided to establish a heavy equipment operator apprenticeship program to allow them to participate as a subcontractor on an industrial solar project in Halifax County. (Contractors on clean energy projects can earn tax credits by employing apprentices.)

Instead of simply joining the main contractor’s program, owner Gene Hall and project manager Lane Gunn decided it would be worthwhile to create a separate program for Red Oak Excavating. Gunn partnered with Southside Virginia Community College’s workforce department to customize the necessary related technical instruction that complements the on-the-job training. Demonstrating his commitment to the program’s success, Gunn even became certified as an instructor through the college, enabling him to personally teach his apprentices.

Red Oak Excavating’s heavy equipment operator program takes approximately two to three years to complete.

To start, they enrolled three of their existing employees who were looking to gain more skills and advance within the company. One of those is Preston Agalzoff, a Foreman who has worked with Red Oak Excavating since coming out of the Marine Corps eight years ago. As an apprentice, Agalzoff is receiving more formalized training, including classroom work and in-the-field practice with different types of equipment.

“I wanted to get more knowledge and certifications and training,” he said. “I’m trying to gain more advanced knowledge in the trade.”

In the future, Gunn says they plan to bring on more apprentices from outside the company as well.

“We hope to use the apprenticeship program to add to our employment ranks,” he said. “It’s definitely going to help get young people in the construction industry.”

Preston Agalzoff

ExTRA: Expert Support for Southern Virginia Employers

ExTRA is part of IALR’s broader efforts to expand work-based learning across the region, including internships and shorter, more intensive programs. The initiative gives employers valuable tools to start or grow Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for Employers

Customization to meet employer needs
Improvement of skilled talent pipeline
Employee retention
Grant funding or tax credit opportunities
Demonstration of investment in your community
No cost for program registration

ExTRA Supports Southern Virginia Businesses

Through ExTRA, IALR provides the following types of support to employers across the 15 localities in GO Virginia Region 3:

IALR handles the complexities of program development and registration with Virginia Works and assists with program maintenance at no cost, saving companies valuable time and resources.
The program specializes in apprenticeship programs and has connections with education providers, workforce development agencies and other resources that can benefit employers and apprentices.
IALR leverages a robust network of partners to connect employers with a broader pool of qualified candidates. This outreach increases companies’ chances of finding the right fit for apprenticeship opportunities.
ExTRA helps employers navigate the program expansion process efficiently, ensuring apprenticeship programs keep pace with business growth.
IALR offers grant funding to support employer-related technical instruction costs up to $2,700 annually per apprentice.

IALR’s ExTRA program has supported the creation of seven total programs from six employers this fiscal year, registering 31 apprentices so far.

Get Involved

Companies interested in starting or expanding apprenticeship programs can contact Neal at Natori.Neal@ialr.org or (434) 766-6657. ExTRA’s expert assistance and funding can strengthen workforce strategies and improve Southern Virginia’s economic landscape.

Contact Natori Neal

About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

October 18, 2024

Tobacco Commission Launches Third Round of $12 Million Energy Ingenuity Fund

New Funding Round to Build on Success of Previous Rounds; Continue Commission’s Mission of Building a Strong Economy in Southern and Southwest Virginia

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is now accepting applications for the third round of its Energy Ingenuity Fund. The deadline to submit a pre-application is Oct. 31, 2024.

This round aims to build on the success of previous rounds of the program and continue to bring innovative energy projects, along with the jobs and investment that come with them, to Southern and Southwest Virginia. The recently concluded second round of the program saw four projects funded that will help communities meet current and future energy needs, reduce costs for consumers, increase reliability and more. Information on those projects, and others that received funding at the Commission’s recent meeting in Martinsville, can be found here.

Tobacco Commission Executive Director James E. Campos said, “The projects funded in the second round of the Commission’s Energy Ingenuity Fund will provide benefits to localities in the Commission footprint for decades to come and I am excited to see the innovative projects brought forth in this third round. Governor Youngkin has made it clear that energy reliability and affordability are critical to the economic success of the Commonwealth and I believe that is especially true for Southern and Southwest Virginia. Rural Virginia is poised for growth in the energy sector and I look forward to working with our local partners, as well as innovators in the private sector, to harness that growth and bring results to our footprint localities.”

Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission Director of Regional Energy Development and Innovation, Jerry Silva, added “It has been a pleasure working with our local partners and others to bring great projects to the TRRC footprint and I look forward to continuing that work in the third round of the program. I once again encourage anyone with an idea for a project to contact me and I would be more than happy to work with them to bring that project to life for the benefit of our communities.”

Energy Ingenuity Fund Program Outline

Up to $6 million is designated for energy-related projects in each of the Commission’s service regions, Southern and Southwest Virginia. A variety of energy project proposals will be accepted, with a focus on establishing a ‘best in class’ energy economy. Projects supported through this fund will capitalize on the region’s skilled workforce and promote an energy focused economy for the Tobacco Region, recognizing that regions with a strong focus on energy can better attract economic activity to their communities. Potential project areas include, but are not limited to: energy manufacturing supply chain, energy production, grid resiliency, energy storage, microgrids, hydrogen generation, smart cities, wind, small scale modular reactors, conversion of coal mines, and more.

The Energy Ingenuity Fund will solicit applications through a competitive process to establish grant and loan agreements for high impact economic development projects meeting the following objectives:

Deployment of resources to amplify and accelerate investment in energy projects.
Collaboration between key partners in energy and economic development.
Enhancement and expansion of the region’s energy supply chain.
Development of more energy resiliency in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

Funding will be considered for projects within the Southern and Southwest Virginia areas of Virginia’s Tobacco Region. See the TRRC Coverage Area Map.

For more information on TRRC program objectives please review the TRRC Strategic Plan and the Logic Models for this Program in the Plan as well as the Commission’s Funding Policies.

Energy Ingenuity Fund Program Details

October 31st – Please review the program Guidelines & Request for Proposals before beginning a pre-application. Please note that a pre-application is required before a project can move forward in the review process.

Based on the information provided in the pre-application, those invited to move forward to full application will be notified by November 2, 2024 and must submit a full application by midnight on December 2, 2024.

To read more about the program, and complete a pre-application (required) please visit the Energy Ingenuity Fund page.

Eligibility Requirements

Please note that:

Applicants must be either a local governmental entity or a non-profit OR must be partnering with a local governmental entity or non-profit.
All requests for grant funds require at least dollar-for-dollar (1:1) matching funds, with no more than 25% of the match requirement from “in-kind” sources.

Please see the program Guidelines & Request for Proposals for full eligibility details.

Questions from partners or potential applicants:

Jerry Silva
Director of Regional Energy Development and Innovation
(804) 325-4363
JSilva@revitalizeva.org

About The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is a 28-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly. Its mission is the promotion of economic growth and development in tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has awarded over 2000 grants totaling more than $1.1 billion across the tobacco region of the Commonwealth, and has provided $309 million in indemnification payments to tobacco growers and quota holders.

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is an economic development agency under Governor Youngkin’s Secretariat of Commerce and Trade, led by Secretary Caren Merrick. TRRC’s Executive Director, Hon. James E. Campos, is appointed by the Governor.

November 16, 2023

IALR to Bolster Agribusiness Support, Research with Recent Grants

Grants come from the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Several recently awarded grants are positioning the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) and the Virginia Tech (VT)-IALR CEA Innovation Center to increase support for agribusinesses in Southern Virginia and conduct critical research in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector. These funds will allow the development of a food system initiative, the offering of affordable testing services for the CEA industry, and research into the impact of beneficial bacteria in CEA environments.

IALR was awarded two grants totaling approximately $250,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) along with $100,000 from an anonymous donor that will allow the creation of two new positions and the development and implementation of new services. A Specialty Crop Block Grant from VDACS revolves around the use of technology and biostimulants to enhance and promote Virginia’s specialty crops.

“This funding will position IALR to conduct more innovative research, empower regional producers to distribute their products, and provide critical testing services for the CEA industry. Each of these initiatives, which are only possible due to dynamic partnerships and intentional support from organizations like VDACS and the Tobacco Commission, directly relate to our mission of driving economic transformation.” — IALR President Telly Tucker

“Supporting the agricultural economy of Southern and Southwest Virginia has always been a top priority for the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission since it was first created nearly 25 years ago. Like many industries, agriculture is becoming increasingly advanced and so the Commission is proud to partner with IALR to ensure that Virginia farmers can meet the challenges, and reap the rewards, of advancements in fields like controlled environment agriculture and more. At the end of the day, the Commission is committed to creating new revenue streams and increasing incomes for our farmers and producers. These projects will do just that and I am pleased that the Commission chose to support them.” — Tobacco Commission Acting Executive Director James E. Campos

CEA Testing and Outreach

To address common issues CEA producers face, the Virginia Tech-IALR CEA Innovation Center will establish third-party product/method evaluation and testing services for CEA companies. Additionally, staff will expand outreach efforts by providing educational materials to growers. This project will provide assistance and information to benefit small, medium and large CEA producers and suppliers.

“Part of our mission at the CEA Innovation Center is to build partnerships with industry to advance CEA in VA. Through conversations with industry members, the need for a testing service was identified. This grant will allow us to meet that need by working with industry to evaluate products and ideas under greenhouse and vertical farm conditions.” — Dr. Kaylee South, Assistant Professor of Controlled Environment Agriculture, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences

IALR will hire a research technician to manage these testing services. The TRRC granted $145,841 towards this initiative. Virginia Tech is also providing funds to install a Postdoctoral research position.

Value Chain Coordination

To help diversify agribusiness and increase net farm output in Southern Virginia, IALR will establish a robust local food system that connects producers and farmers with institutional buyers, food hubs and other purchasers.

Many farmers lack the time and resources to promote their goods to potential customers. Simultaneously, many large institutional buyers would like to offer local produce, meat and dairy to their employees and visitors, but they would prefer not to interact with each farmer individually. This food system will facilitate those interactions.

“An overarching focus of Applied Research at IALR is to help diversify agribusiness in Southern Virginia and increase net farm income, profitability and opportunity for new and existing farms of all sizes. This grant will allow us to meet that goal with the addition of a value chain coordinator to help create a robust local food system where farmers’ price points are met while local consumers gain greater access to their products. This will be a unique, impactful program that fits squarely into IALR’s mission of economic transformation for Southern Virginia.” — Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research IALR

IALR will hire a Value Chain Coordinator to manage the implementation of this food hub. TRRC awarded $104,452 toward this initiative. An anonymous donation of $100,000 will also support this initiative.

Specialty Crop Block Grants

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $550,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding at the end of October, and two of those grants were for research happening at IALR. Dr. Sajeewa Amaradasa, Senior Scientist at IALR, and Dr. Kaylee South, an Assistant Professor of CEA within Virginia Tech’s School of Plant and Environmental Sciences who works with the CEA Innovation Center, received the grants.

Dr. Amaradasa will be researching the use of endophytes – beneficial bacteria that live inside plants and help plants grow better and tolerate stress – in the growth of strawberries in soilless systems. This research outcome would help growers increase profits in hydroponically grown strawberries by using growth-promoting bacteria.

Dr. South, Dr. Michael Evans, and other Virginia Tech researchers will develop and evaluate the use of biofungicides for the control of common diseases in CEA production. This goal will be fulfilled by developing and assessing RNAi-based biofungicides targeting grey mold in strawberry production and downy mildew in spinach production.

Specialty Crop Block Grant program funding is authorized annually by the 2018 Farm Bill. The awards resulted from a competitive grant process established by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) for funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

About IALR

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s primary footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

About IALR’s Mission

About the Tobacco Commission Revitalization Commission

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is a 28-member body created by the 1999 General Assembly. Its mission is the promotion of economic growth and development in formerly tobacco-dependent communities, using proceeds of the national tobacco settlement. To date, the Commission has created tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

About the TRRC

October 6, 2023

Danville Life Saving Crew, IALR Launch State’s First Registered EMT Apprenticeship Program

In partnership with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, the Danville Life Saving Crew – the primary Emergency Medical Services provider for the City of Danville – signed 13 individuals as Virginia’s first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) registered apprentices during a ceremony on Oct 6. Over the next several months, these 13 apprentices will be fully employed with the Danville Life Saving Crew while they study and practice in a classroom environment in preparation to obtain their Emergency Medical Technician Certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition to the National Registry certification, each person completing the program will obtain their Journeyworker Credential from the State Apprenticeship Agency. The EMT apprenticeship program is one year, which equates to 2,000 hours of on-the-job training.

“IALR is proud to work with the Danville Life Saving Crew to facilitate the development and launch of the first Registered EMT Apprenticeship program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In a time when emergency service providers around the country are struggling to hire and retain qualified personnel, this apprenticeship program will increase the number of trained and qualified EMTs for the Danville Life Saving Crew. This innovative program represents a milestone in IALR’s goal to expand talent through registered apprenticeship and demonstrates how apprenticeships can be used to develop skilled workers in non-traditional sectors.” — Natori Neal, Apprenticeship Coordinator for IALR, a Virginia Division of Registered Apprenticeship Intermediary and program sponsor

During an Oct. 6 ceremony, the Danville Life Saving Crew signed 13 registered EMT apprentices.

Created in partnership with IALR, this is the first registered EMT apprenticeship program in Virginia.

“This EMT apprenticeship program will benefit the participants by providing mandatory training for an EMT position. Adding a cohort of new EMTs like this enables the Danville Life Saving Crew to grow its team and provide qualified emergency medical personnel for our community. “The Crew piloted this program in 2022 before beginning the process to become registered apprenticeship program sponsors. Working with Tori and the Institute has been easy and successful, and we are very pleased that our program is the first registered EMT apprenticeship program in Virginia.” — Johnny Mills, CEO of the Danville Life Saving Crew

Virginia registered apprenticeship programs require a mix of on-the-job training and related technical instruction (RTI). For this program, the RTI will be front-loaded into the first 10 weeks and provided by the Danville Area Training Center. After completing classwork and waiting for their EMT exam date, the apprentices will work as a third person on an Emergency Response Vehicle. After passing their exam, the apprentices will be certified EMT-Basics and can continue on-the-job training with increased duties alongside a mentor. The apprentices will respond to emergency calls, provide basic life support/pre-hospital services to the critically ill and injured, and transport patients to a medical facility, always working in collaboration with and under the direction of other crew members and the incident command.

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) Division of Registered Apprenticeship approved the Danville Area Training Center as a private RTI provider earlier this year. The apprenticeship program was officially registered with DOLI in April.

After their one-year term, these apprentices will receive their Journeyworker Credential, a portable, nationally recognized credential from the State Apprenticeship Agency that demonstrates mastery of skills and competencies. In addition to the EMT and Journeymen certificates, participants will also earn CPR and Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certifications. After obtaining these certifications, these individuals can then serve as mentors for future EMT apprentices.

Registered apprenticeship is an occupation-specific training model designed to produce highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers. The model includes a paid job experience for employees that includes a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction.

“The Division of Registered Apprenticeship is proud to partner with IALR to increase the reach of registered apprenticeships as a training and career pathway. The registered apprenticeship program with Danville Life Saving Crew demonstrates new ways to utilize the RA model to increase needed emergency credentials. This opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ will broaden the pool of trained emergency personnel for the Danville area, illustrating why registered apprenticeship is a win for everyone from the DLSC to the citizens whom they will serve.” — Kara Joyce, Registered Apprenticeship Consultant with the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

Through the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeships (ExTRA) program, IALR has helped establish 18 apprenticeship programs with various companies across Southern Virginia in industries like construction, healthcare and manufacturing. Some of these companies have already hired apprentices to complete those programs, whereas others are working through logistics before beginning to hire apprentices. IALR’s efforts to expand registered apprenticeship programs in Southern Virginia are supported by grants from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. These grants fund both IALR’s Apprenticeship Coordinator — Natori Neal, who began work in February 2022 — and reimburse eligible RTI costs for employers establishing new registered apprenticeship programs.

IALR’s apprenticeship program is part of the EmPOWER framework, an employer-driven, work-based learning system of programs that systematically connects students to careers through focus areas like career awareness, career exposure and engagement opportunities, and career experience through apprenticeships, internships and other work-based learning programs.

“Working with partners to connect students to careers and prepare Southern Virginia residents for career opportunities is a major focus of IALR. The new, unique Registered EMT Apprenticeship program exemplifies our commitment to workforce development that meets the needs of both the trainees and the employers in the region.” — Jessie Vernon, IALR Advanced Learning Program Manager

The Virginia Career Works West Piedmont Region is partnering to provide supportive services for apprentices in the program, including 50% wage reimbursement to DLSC for 10 weeks. They will also provide monetary incentives to apprentices for reaching certain milestones during the program.

About the Danville Area Training Center

The Danville Area Training Center was established and dedicated in 2003 to provide a regional training facility to the city of Danville and nearby agencies. Today, the Danville Area Training Center (DATC) educates thousands of healthcare providers, EMTs, and community members annually. The DATC offers courses in First Aid and CPR, Basic and Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Emergency Medical Technician, Vehicle Rescue Awareness and Operations, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Mass Casualty and Traffic Incident Management.

Danville Area Training Center Website

About the Danville Life Saving Crew

Serving the City of Danville and portions of the surrounding counties, the Danville Life Saving Crew employs volunteers and career staff to provide prehospital care. First founded in 1945, the Danville Life Saving Crew’s mission is to be the leader in delivering prehospital care to the sick and injured. It is also their goal to provide superior training to our members and members of other agencies throughout the community.

Danville Life Saving Crew Website

About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s primary service area is Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

Driving Economic Transformation

November 14, 2022

IALR Receives Nearly $500,000 Grant to Expand Apprenticeships Within 15 Southern Virginia Localities

IALR to create regional apprenticeship consortium and serve as VA DOLI intermediary sponsor for employers

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) has awarded the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) a grant of $497,890 for its ExTRA (Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeships) program to grow state registered apprenticeships within the 15 Southern Virginia localities throughout GO Virginia Region 3. IALR will create a regional apprenticeship consortium to recruit apprentices and employers, as well as serve as the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s (DOLI) intermediary sponsor to help employers lacking capacity to fulfill the role as primary sponsor.

Virginia’s Registered Apprenticeship program is an occupation-specific training model designed to produce highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers. The model includes a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction with a paid job experience for the employees.

“Apprenticeships are a win-win for both employers and job seekers willing to learn on the job,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR. “The employer remains globally competitive by recruiting and retaining a highly skilled staff, and the job seeker receives a job with a good starting wage, valuable training and the chance to earn a portable Journeyworker credential without accumulating debt.”

In alignment with economic development interests and employer needs, IALR will focus on expanding apprenticeships for occupations in construction, healthcare, early childhood education, manufacturing and information technology. TRRC funding will support the following:

continued support for a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator to provide technical assistance to employers in designing apprenticeship opportunities;
incentives to employers to cover the direct costs of the required Related Technical Instruction (anticipated at 144 hours per year per apprenticeship), limited to $2,700 per year per apprentice; and
development of a regional apprenticeship consortium with a website and marketing materials to support recruitment.

IALR plans to provide assistance for up to 36 new apprentices each year for three years, for a total of 108 apprentices (recognizing that depending on the selected occupation apprenticeship, terms can run one, two, three or four years). Employers will provide wages and fringe benefits averaging $16 per hour.

New apprenticeships will be registered through the state DOLI. Apprentices who succeed in this program will receive their Journeyworker credential, a nationally recognized certificate demonstrating an individual has completed an apprenticeship and has the ability to perform all tasks of the trade in the area certified.

The Danville Regional Foundation and employers will provide matching funds for the grant. The total estimated contribution from employers (for apprenticeship wages and benefits) is over $7 million for the three years of the grant period.

The TRRC grant award is a follow-up to the $64,800 2021 TRRC grant award, which funded the development of an implementation plan with a list of employers, by sector, who were interested in establishing an apprenticeship program; and details on the credentials for the different apprenticeship programs and associated training needs. Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal of IALR, hired as part of this project, completed the aforementioned requirements, worked to have IALR approved as a Virginia DOLI intermediary sponsor, and has already begun assisting employers through the apprenticeship process.

“IALR works to increase awareness for registered apprenticeship as a high-quality, work-based learning model, provide companies with program development and registration support, and offer connections to resources that are integral to program sustainability,” said Neal. “We also have the capability to manage the administration of programs for businesses that do not have the capacity to serve as the primary sponsors of apprenticeship programs.”

Neal has helped five employers establish registered apprenticeship programs and currently has one company participating as an employer of record in an IALR-sponsored apprenticeship program.
“The journey to establish our apprenticeship program has not been one we’ve traveled alone,” said Justin Hylton, Vice President of plumbing solutions provider Southside Mechanical Services Inc. in Danville. “We’ve had a lot of help from the folks at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, our DOLI representative, as well as the people with Virginia Technical Institute.”

State registered apprenticeships are one aspect of IALR’s EmPOWER framework to promote work-based learning. An employer-driven system, EmPOWER provides job seekers opportunities and tools for career awareness, career exposure and engagement, and career experience, all to drive employment.

“ExTRA aligns perfectly with the Commonwealth’s goals to increase opportunities for licensing, training and job opportunities for in-demand, high-paying skilled positions,” said Jessie Vernon, Program Manager, IALR. “IALR is here to serve as an accessible resource and helpful guide for businesses and potential apprentices. In this way, we hope to generate more state registered apprenticeships, what we consider to be the pinnacle of work-based learning experiences.”

Interested businesses or potential apprentices should contact Neal at natori.neal@ialr.org or 434.766.6657.

(L-R) First row: John Daniel (Daniel Builders, LLC), Ulises Jimenez, David Sage (Virginia Technical Institute); second row: Natori Neal (IALR), Kara Joyce (Virginia Department of Labor and Industry), and Dr. Julie Brown (IALR) participate in a signing ceremony.

(Left to right) Front: Plumber apprentices Corey Woods, James Hess, Caleb Shelton and Anthony Worsham Jr.; back: Natori Neal, IALR; Kara Joyce, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI); Justin Hylton, Vice President, Southside Mechanical Services (SMS); George Hylton, Owner/ President, SMS; David Sage, Executive Director, Virginia Technical Institute (VTI); and Jessie Vernon, IALR. IALR worked with DOLI and VTI to help SMS achieve registration as a state apprenticeship sponsor.

November 23, 2021

IALR Announces New Round of Vineyard Grant Funding, Accepting Applications

Cost-share program addresses grape shortage, encourages growth of Virginia wine industry

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), program manager of the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission’s (TRRC) Vineyard Development and Expansion Program, has announced a new round of grant funding available to vineyard growers. Applications are being accepted for grant awards of up to $3,000 per acre for qualified individuals across the 40 localities of the TRRC’s service area in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

“This program is a wonderful opportunity for vineyard growers to expand their acreage or for would-be growers to step into production,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “The program offers helpful assistance with the application process, and reimburses on a cost-share basis to reduce risk and encourage viticulture, which is so vitally important to expanding Virginia’s wine industry.”

A cost-share award of up to $3,000 per acre is available for qualified vineyard growers—reimbursing 33 percent of eligible expenditures. Vineyards with up to nine acres may receive a maximum award of up to $15,000, and those with 10 or more acres may receive a maximum award of up to $20,000. Funding is awarded through a competitive process and may be sought by qualified existing growers who wish to expand their current acreage and by new growers developing their first vineyard. To be considered for the program, new growers must establish at least three acres of new vines, and existing growers must be willing to plant a minimum of one new acre. Eligible cost-share items include, but are not limited to, grapevines, hardware for trellis systems, fencing and irrigation systems. All projects and reimbursement applications must be completed by Dec. 1, 2022.

Through the cost-share program, IALR works with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, TRRC and the Virginia Vineyards Association to increase vineyard acreage and address the shortage of Virginia-grown grapes. In order for wines to be marketed as Virginia wines, they must contain at least 75 percent of Virginia-grown grapes. While the number of wineries in Virginia has been increasing, the pace of vineyard expansion has lagged, resulting in acute grape shortages and the slowing of Virginia wine production.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, including a detailed map of eligible localities, growers may visit TRRCgrape.com or contact Program Manager Amy Turner at amy.turner@ialr.org or 434.766.6788. Turner also will assist growers with the application process, which is currently open.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation through applied research, advanced learning, economic development, advanced manufacturing and conference services. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. To learn more, visit www.ialr.org.

October 20, 2021

IALR Awarded Over $581,000 from GO Virginia and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to Support Work-Based Learning

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) was recently awarded over $581,000 to lead ExperienceWorks, a work-based learning (WBL) system that leverages GO Virginia Region 3 and Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) investments. The system connects students and young adults to high-skill, high-wage employment opportunities through a variety of career development and WBL opportunities.

“We are grateful for these investments supporting robust public and private partnerships that are required to launch the ExperienceWorks framework,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Director of Advanced Learning at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). “ExperienceWorks aligns existing career development programs and adds capacity, providing multiple opportunities for employers to engage with students and offer hands-on, career-relevant learning and mentoring.” Brown adds, “The participating school divisions are excited about this opportunity to continue collaborating on programs which benefit their students, faculty, and the region’s business community. We’re thankful that the GO Virginia Region 3 Council, the GO Virginia State Board, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission recognized and endorsed their efforts.”

Randy Lail, Chair, GO Virginia Region 3, stated, “ExperienceWorks provides targeted industries with skilled employees for high-wage, high-skill jobs to position their companies for growth and will significantly advance the Region 3 Council’s priorities.” GO Virginia Region 3 per capita funds will support 50 percent of the cost for an Internship Coordinator as well as paid internships, work-readiness bootcamps, and teacher externships.

The TRRC grant funds will support 50 percent of an Apprenticeship Coordinator position adding capacity for employer outreach and developing apprenticeship positions in partnership with regional employers. Tobacco Commission member, Dr. Alexis Ehrhardt said, “Apprenticeship and job readiness programs have long been an area of focus for the Tobacco Commission and I am glad the Commission chose to support this program at IALR. The ExperienceWorks program will be a real asset to our region by providing opportunities for students to engage directly with leading businesses in their chosen field. I am confident this will result in increased employment opportunities for our students and allow our local businesses to hire for many hard to fill positions.”

The mission is to scale WBL efforts, allowing 100 percent of high school graduates to access a high-quality WBL experience and create a sustained pathway that connects employers to their emerging workforce. This initiative is targeted to high school juniors and seniors and is designed to create a culture of understanding that internships and apprenticeships are for everyone, with a clear benefit for employers and job seekers.

ExperienceWorks goals include: increased student awareness of career opportunities in strategic industry sectors; improved student and young adult work readiness skills aligned with business expectations; meaningful work experiences for students and young adults in strategic sectors; increased teacher and counselor awareness of careers and business needs; and a work-based learning system that is sustained and supported by employers, local government and economic development. According to Brown, “Establishing connections with students while they are still in high school will allow businesses to access an emerging workforce and provide mentorship, increasing the number of high school graduates who are connected to employment opportunities in targeted growth sectors.”

Participating K12 divisions include: Amelia, Brunswick, Charlotte, Cumberland, Danville, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Martinsville, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward. For more information about ExperienceWorks, contact Jessie Vernon at jessie.vernon@ialr.org or 434-766-6772.

This project was funded in part by GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that strengthens and diversifies Virginia’s economy and fosters the creation of higher wage jobs in strategic industries. GO Virginia is a statewide business-led economic development initiative with funding to invest in collaborative projects that lead to high-paying jobs in each region. The mission of GO Virginia is to encourage collaboration among business, education, and government in each region. GO Virginia Region 3 is one of nine regions in Virginia and includes the Counties of Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward and the Cities of Danville and Martinsville. For more information, please visit govirginia3.org and sign up for the Region 3 monthly newsletter or connect with GO Virginia Region 3 on Facebook or LinkedIn

Students at the 2019 Career ChoICE Youth Expo visit the booth of Sartomer (Chatham), a division of Arkema Inc., for a hands-on introduction to careers in advanced materials and chemical manufacturing. The Expo exposes youth to the 17 career clusters, and it serves as one component of the newly funded ExperienceWorks work-based learning system framework to be led by the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

September 11, 2020

DRRC, IALR Announce Tobacco Commission Award for Phase 2 Expansion of Work Ready Community Initiative

17 localities – including Virginia’s original six launched – to benefit

The Dan River Region Collaborative (DRRC) and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), in partnership with regional economic development agencies, school divisions, workforce development boards and employers, are pleased to announce a workforce development grant award from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC). The $260,674 grant, along with matching funds, will help maximize the impact and growth of the ACT Work Ready Community (WRC) Expansion Phase II effort, which will include all 15 GO Virginia Region 3 localities, as well as Greensville County and Emporia of the Crater Planning District.

“This support from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission builds on a strong and collaborative regional partnership that has demonstrated measurable growth to better position thousands of job candidates across most of Southern Virginia with an employer-recognized and valued credential,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Project Director for the Dan River Region Collaborative and Director of Advanced Learning for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. “The Work Ready Community designation will continue to greatly assist these localities in marketing the competencies of their workforce to existing and prospective employers.”

TRRC funding, along with matched funding, will support 12 certified localities as they maintain their WRC status (progressing through maintenance Periods 1, 2 and 3) and will assist five localities in achieving their initial WRC goals. Efforts will include initial ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) testing and NCRC retakes to improve certification level along with job profiles for participating employers and dedicated personnel to work with employers and partner agencies. Funding partners on the matching side include IALR, Danville Regional Foundation, local school divisions, workforce development boards and regional employers.

The ACT WorkKeys NCRC is a competency- and evidence-based, industry-recognized, third-party validated, portable and stackable certification that validates work readiness skills in applied math, graphic literacy and workplace documents. As sufficient numbers of tests are passed in a locality, it is then certified as a Work Ready Community. Once initial certification is attained, communities must reach further goals to maintain certification.

Companies such as Owens-Illinois (Pittsylvania), Eastman Chemical (Martinsville), Ten Oaks (Patrick), Nucor Buildings Group (Mecklenburg) and Genesis Décor (Amelia) have supported the NCRC, and some have adopted it as part of their job applicant pre-screening process. Outcomes are truly significant, including 10,622 NCRCs earned as of June 30, 2020, and more than 5,500 additional certificates expected in the two-year period of the WRC Expansion Phase II project, which covers the majority of the Southern TRRC region.

“The implementation of this process has improved the efficiency of our interviewing. We are talking to applicants with a real motivation to work at O-I who have proven skill levels,” said Stephanie McGuire, HR Manager for Owens-Illinois. “The job profiling and WorkKeys program provides us a valid and well-documented screening tool.”

Localities participating in the CWRC initiative include:

Work Ready Communities maintaining designation:

Halifax County – Maintaining Period 3
Henry County – Maintaining Period 2
Pittsylvania County – Maintaining Period 2
City of Martinsville – Maintaining Period 2
City of Danville – Maintaining Period 1
Patrick County – Maintaining Period 1
Lunenburg County – Maintaining Period 1
Mecklenburg County – Maintaining Period 1
Amelia County – Maintaining Period 1
Brunswick County – Maintaining Period 1
Charlotte County – Maintaining Period 1
Nottoway County – Maintaining Period 1

GO Virginia Region 3 Expansion – localities targeted to achieve initial CWRC status:

Buckingham County – 99%
Cumberland County – 93%
Prince Edward County – 95%

Crater Planning District – localities targeted to achieve initial CWRC status:

Greensville County – 98%
Emporia City – 85%

In July 2013, Southern Virginia was the first region in Virginia to commit to earning the ACT Certified Work Ready Community designation. The launch of the original six localities included the cities of Danville and Martinsville and the counties of Halifax, Henry, Patrick and Pittsylvania.

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