New Valley training program looks to help fill technology jobs – WHSV

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) A new partnership between several groups in the Shenandoah Valley, including the Valley Workforce Center and Goodwill, is hoping to get more people employed in technology industries.

The "Careers in Technology" program will offer qualified people an opportunity for technology skills training. According to Goodwill Industries of the Valley, careers in technology are predicted to increase in demand in salary over the next six to 10 years.

Careers in Technology is funded through a TechHire grant and is a solution to economic development issues in Lynchburg, Shenandoah Valley, and Roanoke, said Mary Ann Gilmer, Vice President of Workforce Development with Goodwill Industries of the Valley. Through this investment, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys will collaborate with local employers, training providers, and workforce and economic development organizations to empower people to get the fast-track training they need to launch careers in the technology field.

There are two separate tracks: one is to be trained as a computer use support specialist. In that track, people would obtain CompTIA A+ certification, Network + and/or Security + certifications. There will also be job readiness training and job placement assistance.

The other track is to be trained as computer programmer, where a person would obtain Microsoft-Certified Solutions Development or language specific certification, job readiness training, job placement assistance and much more.

"[When] you try to order anything online and you've gotta go through a process and people get stuck on that," said Melanie Blosser, with the Valley Workforce Center."If you own a computer, you call tech support, these people are going to be those tech support people."

Some of the training programs take as little as eight weeks.

You must be seventeen years or older, unemployed, underemployed, dislocated and/or an incumbent worker. The program also assists with tuition, books and exam fees.

The first training cohort is expected to start in July.

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New Valley training program looks to help fill technology jobs - WHSV