New effort to help Virginia residents get job training

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new effort is underway to help Virginians who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic get training for in-demand work.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that a coalition of 20 businesses across the state is providing financial backing for a nonprofit called Virginia Ready. It aims to get tens of thousands of Virginia residents into job training programs by providing cash payments to out-of-work people who complete courses for various jobs through the Virginia Community College System.

The nonprofit is planning to provide $1,000 incentive payments for as many as 15,000 people over the next three years who earn credentials for high-demand fields such as health care, manufacturing and skilled trades.

Recipients of the incentives will get $1,000 payments after completing courses and passing credential exams in the Virginia Community College System’s Fast Forward program.