TCC receives a $50,000 grant from Truist Foundation for workforce career planning

Tidewater Community College received a $50,000 grant from Truist Foundation for workforce career planning.

The grant will be used to provide workshops on career readiness for low- to moderate-income individuals so they can build the skills necessary to obtain positions to support their families with full-time, quality work.

TCC’s Center for Workforce Solutions will provide the training and partner with local employers and community stakeholders to connect disadvantaged workers with these programs.

“We are grateful to Truist Foundation for this grant as it will greatly impact families in our region,” said TCC President Marcia Conston. “We are unwavering in our commitment to helping individuals reskill and upskill so they can provide for their families and give back to the community.”

Truist Foundation is committed to creating sustainable wealth-building opportunities for historically excluded people that can impact future generations.

TCC President Conston and former board member Delceno C. Miles during the Truist donation event. — TCC President Marcia Conston with Truist Senior Vice President Mark Johnson and Delceno Miles, chair of TCC’s Educational Foundation.

“To build and prepare our state’s future workforce, it’s critical that we provide individuals with opportunities to be introduced to and prepare for career paths by reducing financial barriers,” said Thomas Ransom, Virginia regional president for Truist. “Our partnership with Tidewater Community College to provide workforce planning workshops illustrates our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, and we are proud to help create positive change.”

Truist Financial Corporation has a history of supporting TCC and provided a $75,000 grant to the college in 2019. Those funds also supported workforce development.

Collision Repair grant to help prepare industry-ready grads

Tidewater Community College’s Collision Repair program received a $5,000 grant from Caliber Collision through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The grant was part of the Benchmark grant funding through CREF.

TCC is one of three schools to receive grants from Caliber to help elevate the skills of graduates. The funds will be used to purchase new tools, ensuring that students are training using the same state-of-the-art equipment that is used in industry.

TCC’s Collision Repair program prepares students for entry-level positions in non-structural repair and refinishing. Coursework covers panel replacement and alignment, glass replacement, dent repair, plastic and composite repair, vehicle preparation and paint defect diagnosis.

Upon completion of the program, Students earn their Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) certifications for Pro Level 1 and 2 in Non-Structural Repair and Pro Level 1 and 2 in Refinishing.

TCC’s program is supported by the Hampton Roads Autobody Association. For more information, visit here.

TCC selected for New America New Models for Career Preparation initiative

Tidewater Community College was selected to participate in the second cohort of the New America New Models for Career Preparation initiative. TCC is one of six colleges selected nationally for the program.

Supported by the Lumina Foundation, the New America New Models for Career Preparation aims to better understand how community colleges – with the support of public policy – can build quality, non-degree programs. The initiative was launched to develop new career preparation models that offer faster, more affordable and equitable employer-aligned pathways for non-degree pursuing students to find their way into high-quality jobs.

At TCC, the $50,000 grant will evaluate ways to expand the Job Skills Training Program (JSTP) and pre-hire programs with additional industries. JSTP is a comprehensive approach to job skills training and placement for those wanting to enhance their employability, change careers, or are unemployed or underemployed. With the help of regional partners, successful participants receive resources, soft skills training, industry credentials and a direct-hire pipeline.

“The New America Grant through Lumina will greatly support our efforts to provide workforce solutions to our community that will benefit our students and regional employers,” said Tamara Williams, TCC’s Vice President for Workforce Solutions. “We are grateful for the funding and opportunity to be part of this second cohort as we know it will help with the economic growth in our region.”

TCC joins County College of Morris in New Jersey, Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, Lone Star College in Texas, Mott Community College in Michigan and Sacramento City College in California for the second cohort of the New America New Models cohort.

For information about workforce training and this initiative, contact Williams at twilliams@tcc.edu.