MISSION STATEMENT

The Blue Ridge Community College Division of Workforce Services and Continuing Education (WSCE) provides a dynamic program of workforce services and continuing education for employers and residents within its region and supports community and economic development initiatives that promote an excellent quality of life and a prosperous business climate for the region. Specifically, WSCE fulfills its mission by:

1. Serving the workforce development needs of public and private sector employers in the region through
   1. Customized training programs to enhance and/or develop new workforce skills,
   2. Specialized courses and programs to address new skills requirements,
   3. Certification programs to document skills mastery,
   4. Career enhancement courses and programs for ongoing employee development,
   5. Pre-employment assessments and customized training and/or retraining programs for new and expanding companies;
2. Conducting training needs and market trends analyses to identify emerging training and education needs and interests;
3. Maintaining an active outreach and relationship-building program with Valley employers and professional and community organizations;
4. Collaborating with the Workforce Investment Boards and other agencies to support and assist with training and/or retraining of underemployed, unemployed, and dislocated workers;
5. Serving the personal enrichment and professional growth needs and interests of the local community through non-credit special interest courses, professional development programs, seminars, workshops, and symposia;
6. Serving and supporting the educational needs and interests of the region by providing convenient off-campus locations for credit and non-credit instruction;
7. Collaborating with local and state offices of economic development to support local economic development initiatives;
8. Providing assistance for small business through the BRCC office of the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SVSBDC) by
   1. Offering counseling and training for prospective and current small business owners and
   2. Offering specialized workshops, seminars, and courses;
9. Developing training and educational partnerships with community organizations, other institutions, and employers to respond to employer needs, improve coordination, and minimize duplication of services;
10. Serving the facility/meeting needs of community organizations, business, and professional groups and organizations through special use arrangements of the Plecker Workforce Center facilities;
11. Serving and supporting the local community through active involvement with various community agencies and organizations.

WSCE programs and services include

• Computer software training
• Continuing Education for IT Professionals
• Contracting with employers to coordinate and manage Employee Training and Skill Development Programs
• Customized training and certification programs for business and industry
• Seminars on business-related topics
• Job analysis, employee assessments, and pre-employment training for business
• Career guidance and Resume writing services
• Special Interest courses and programs
• Summer enrichment program for youth (Learning Can Be Fun)
• Commercial Driving School
• Women's Resource Center
• Medical Office Assistant Certificate program
• Supervisory Training Program for the Construction Industry
• Computer networking and certification preparation courses
• High Performance Manufacturing Certificates
• Dental Radiation Safety training
• Management and Supervision Certificate
• Virginia's Career Readiness Certificate
• Robert E. Plecker Workforce Development Center building use
• Small Business Development Center