Posted by Centura College on Oct 16, 2020 in Adult Education, Centura College, Centura Norfolk, Community Connections, Press Release, Skilled Trades, Skilled Trades Careers, Spotlight Feature
New College Institute, Centura College, and Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy will join forces to position Virginia as leader in offshore wind industry training
RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today announced the formation of Virginia’s first offshore and onshore wind workforce training collaborative, the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance. The program will offer industry required certifications that are critical to the operations and long-term maintenance of wind projects. The Governor made the announcement addressing the 2020 Offshore WINDPOWER Virtual Summit hosted by the American Wind Energy Association.
The New College Institute, which will serve as the host institution, is joining forces with Centura College and the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy to create the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance (the Alliance). This partnership will bring courses certified by the Global Wind Organization and National Center for Construction, Education, and Research wind technician training to onshore and offshore wind projects to Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.
“Building a strong wind energy workforce will give the Commonwealth a significant competitive advantage in attracting onshore and offshore wind projects,” said Governor Northam. “There is currently massive potential for offshore wind up and down the East Coast, and we look forward to working with our partners across Virginia and in neighboring states to grow this industry and reap the tremendous economic benefits for our communities, especially those that have been historically disadvantaged.”
The Alliance represents an important first step in what will be a much larger workforce development effort to support the renewable energy industries in Virginia. Course offerings will span a wide variety of wind energy related disciplines and provide students with a customizable portfolio of training options. Programs will range from specific certifications to a year-long wind turbine technician program that bundles several industry-recognized certifications and prepares students to serve as certified installation technicians, inspectors, and maintenance technicians. The Alliance plans to start offering programs in early 2021.
“Virginia is actively working to welcome new and expanding business in the offshore and onshore wind sector,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “These companies require a skilled workforce to reach their highest potential, and fortunately, because of our deep maritime roots, that workforce is here.”
The wind industry in the United States continues to experience exponential growth, supporting 120,000 American jobs in 2019, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). The AWEA also estimates that the wind industry has invested more than $208 billion in wind projects across the country with the capacity to produce at least 109 gigawatts of power to date. Dominion Energy and Avangrid Renewables have nearly 400 offshore wind turbines under development off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.
“Clean energy jobs in construction and operations will serve as a catalyst for delivering clean, renewable energy to the Commonwealth,” said Josh Bennett, Vice President of Offshore Wind for Dominion Energy. “The formation of the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance is a critical step to developing a talented offshore wind workforce here in Virginia.”
“As Avangrid Renewables builds the future of clean energy offshore, establishing the workforce that will maintain and operate these projects for decades will be critical,” said Eric Thumma, Interim Vice President of Offshore Wind for Avangrid Renewables. “The Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance will facilitate the development of that workforce and the success of the offshore wind industry.”
“Virginia is taking important steps forward in harnessing the significant economic and job opportunities of American wind power,” said Tom Kiernan, American Wind Energy Association CEO. “Wind turbine technicians are America’s fastest growing career and today’s foresighted move to train additional workers in this field shows that the Commonwealth continues to lead our nation toward a cleaner and more prosperous energy future.”
Located in Martinsville, the New College Institute is a Commonwealth Higher Education Center that partners with industry and academia to provide post-secondary education, industry relevant workforce development and training opportunities in cutting-edge industries.
Centura College has seven education centers across eastern Virginia, including Tidewater Tech, which is home to the largest welding training center in the Commonwealth, with 100 welding booths. Centura is also parent to Aviation Institute of Maintenance, which has 13 aviation technician training centers nationwide and focuses on the repair and maintenance of aircraft including engineering fiberglass and composites.
Located in Norfolk, the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) is the largest training center for United States Coast Guard (USCG) certifications on the East Coast. MAMA is certified by the USCG to teach 90 deck and engineering courses that are critical to the safe operation of the United States commercial fleet.
For more information on the Mid-Atlantic Wind Training Alliance, please visit vaoffshorewind.org/workforce.
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Posted by Centura College on Jul 28, 2020 in Adult Education, Campus Connections, Career Change, Centura Chesapeake, Centura Norfolk, Community Connections, Press Release, Skilled Trades, Skilled Trades Careers, Spotlight Feature
STEM Camp goers can test out skilled training programs in allied health or trades fields.
Written by Jul DeGeus
Centura College will be offering a glimpse into the world of allied health and skilled trades through its The Choice STEM Camp.
Camp participants will spend time in Centura’s classrooms, and labs, learning about the basics of the program of their choosing. This is the perfect opportunity for individuals who are interested in working with their hands. Allied Health professions campers have the opportunity to learn about dental assisting, medical assisting and health information technology. Skilled Trades training includes carpentry and construction electrician. Not all programs are offered at all locations.
The Choice STEM Camp dates and locations are as follows:
Norfolk – August 4-8; 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (medical assisting, carpentry, health information technology and construction electrician)
Norfolk – August 4-8; 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (dental assisting)
Centura College’s The Choice STEM Camp is free and open to the public. Individuals interested in enrolling into the camp should contact the appropriate campus.
Norfolk – (757) 835-2121 or admdircnor@centura.edu, 7020 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23518
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, and trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
Posted by Centura College on Jun 16, 2020 in Campus Connections, Community Connections, Press Release, Spotlight Feature
Written by Nicole Gleaton
Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech have teamed together to donate 60 laptop computers to Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School in Uganda and Azalea Gardens Middle School in Norfolk. By working together with the headmaster and principal of the two schools, the colleges have worked to provide hardware, software, and instructional projects that will unite school children around the world in studying cultural research, writing, business technology, and communication.
The project launched with the Executive Vice President of the institutions, Dr. Joel English, worked alongside his brother, Dr. James English, who is a professor of Biology, to support international learning within the developing country of Uganda. James was conducting research in Uganda’s remote villages, studying how pathogens passed from livestock to people through cattle parasites. He came across a 12-year old orphan named Sharon, who spent her days tending to cattle in a small homestead. She was unable to attend school without family to fund her education. James decided he wanted to help Sharon and support the school, in whatever way he could. As James got to know Sharon, he realized that, ”sometimes our limits are not a shortage of resources, ideas, or goodwill, but rather an understanding of how we can help others: we often just don’t know how we can help or what role we can play to support others.”
After helping Sharon with the costs associated with enrolling into the Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School, James got to know the school’s Headmaster. He inquired about the school’s needs, and the Headmaster stated that the school had a lack of teaching technologies, and that they were in dire need of laptop computers. James turned to his brother, Joel, who heads the group of career colleges in the United States. Joel’s solution was to not only provide a 30-laptop computer lab to Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School, but to also provide a computer lab to Azalea Gardens Middle School, a local public school near the institution’s home office in Southeastern Virginia. Joel worked with the Board Chair of Norfolk Public Schools and the Azalea Gardens Middle School principal to identify faculty to not only accept the computer donation but to work with faculty at Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School to develop classroom projects and collaborative research assignments between the students who live worlds apart. Joel stated, “We hope the classrooms in Uganda and Virginia will interact, write to each other, and study each other’s cultures using the same technologies, to broaden the context and meaning of what both groups of students learn. We are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve. These days, though, ‘community’ has taken on a global meaning. We’re thrilled to be able to support the Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School in Uganda and the young scholars here at home.”
AIM, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech shipped the laptops at the end of May, and they have arrived in Uganda. They will reach Kiwoko on June 27th, when the school reopens. Ben Clark, Associate Director of Academic Affairs, handled the final push and says, “I am elated to share that DHL finally picked up the 15 boxes of laptops. Each box contains 2 laptops, and they are now making their way to the Kiwoko Citizen’s Private School, located outside of Kampala, Uganda. We are so excited and humbled to connect students from two different continents. We will make the local donation when it’s safe to do so.” The colleges will hand deliver 30 laptops to Azalea Gardens Middle School over the summer months, and collaborative projects between the two student groups will commence in the Fall of 2020.
About Aviation Institute of Maintenance
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is a network of aviation maintenance schools with campuses coast-to-coast in the United States and headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va. AIM students are trained to meet the increasing global demand of commercial, cargo, corporate and private aviation employers. AIM graduates are eligible to take the Federal Aviation Administration exams necessary to obtain their mechanic’s certificate with ratings in both Airframe and Powerplant. AIM’s campuses are in the following major metro areas: Atlanta, Charlotte, New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, San Francisco Bay, Orlando, and Norfolk. Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM) is a FAA Approved A&P School and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Not all programs available at all locations. For consumer, and additional information, visit AviationMaintenance.edu or call (888) FIX-JETS. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AIM.edu.
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, and trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
About Tidewater Tech
Tidewater Tech is a career training school that specializes in trade vocations including Auto Technician, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Building Maintenance and Repair and Welding. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance, and is accredited by the Commission of the Council of Occupational Education (COE). Tidewater Tech is certified to Operate by SCHEV. Learn more at www.TidewaterTechTrades.edu or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TidewaterTech.edu.
Posted by Centura College on Nov 26, 2019 in Adult Education, Campus Connections, Centura College, Centura Richmond, Community Connections, Health
Community Outreach Representative, Robert Youngblood with Sue Patow and Peter Weismuller.
Written by Robert Youngblood and Meagan Chappell
Centura College is challenging the Richmond area to donate new books to the community!
Our Centura Richmond Metro team had the pleasure of meeting with volunteers of the Arthur Ashe Books 4 Kids Program, an organization supported by VCU Medical Center Auxiliary that works with children to select age and reading level appropriate books. Volunteers Sue Patow and Peter Weismuller are book buddies who encourage parents to read with their children while waiting in the clinic or at home. Located on the 3rd and 4th floor of the Children’s Hospital are mobile book carts, stocked with books for all ages and reading levels. Eighty-five percent of the books given to families to take home are interactive touch-and-feel book for early readers.
Book Donation Requirements
Since its origin in 1997, the program has received over 91,000 books and is projected to receive 15,000 books by the end of 2019. Throughout the remainder of 2019, Centura College is encouraging the community to support the organization through the donation of new books. All books being donated should be brand new and should fall within the following parameters:
- Board books for early-level readers
- Multi-cultural books
- Bi-lingual books (board books and early-level readers)
- Graphic novels (comic books)
- Biographies and autobiographies
- Sports
- Science/animals
- No religious books
- No political books
- Generic (non-religious) Holiday books
- Middle School level books (chapter books, adventure series books)
- High School level books (social issues and peer relationships)
Drop Off Instructions
Centura Richmond Metro campus will be the primary drop off location. Books can be brought to our campus, located 7914 Midlothian Turnpike, N. Chesterfield, VA between 9:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday and 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Our goal is to donate 10,000 books by December 31, 2019. By participating, you will directly support the Children’s Hospital of Richmond and the Arthur Ashe Books 4 Kids Program. You’ll also help provide children of all ages with appropriate books and promote childhood literacy and encourage parents to get involved in early literacy.
For details on how you can donate to the Arthur Ashe Books 4 Kids Program, contact the campus at (804) 330-0111.
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, and trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
Posted by Centura College on Oct 15, 2019 in Adult Education, Campus Connections, Career Change, Career Fair, Centura College, Community Connections, Press Release, Skilled Trades, Skilled Trades Careers
Centura College’s Richmond Metro campus hosts a Career Fair on October 16 for job seekers in the community.
Written by Jul DeGeus
Centura College’s Richmond Metro Area campus is holding a career fair on Wednesday, October 16th, from 12:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. Located at 7914 Midlothian Turnpike North Chesterfield, Va., this event is free and open to the public, you can RSVP here.
Jobs seekers will have the opportunity to connect directly with recruiters from a variety of industries. Hiring managers will be present and are looking to fill positions within their respective organizations. These representatives will be accepting resumes as well as providing information regarding available job opportunities. On-the-spot interviews will be conducted at the discretion of the employer.
“Centura College of Richmond Metro continues to strive to be responsive to the needs of area businesses, industries, and the government,” stated Robert Jones III, Campus Executive Director. “We assist adult students to gain the skills and attitudes necessary for a meaningful entry-level career position. We look forward to having the community come out for this event.”
Career fair goers should come dressed in business attire and bring multiple copies of their resume. For more information regarding Centura College’s Career Fair, contact the campus at (804) 330-0111.
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, and trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
Posted by Centura College on Aug 27, 2019 in Adult Education, Campus Connections, Centura Chesapeake, Centura College, Community Connections, Military Friendly School, Spotlight Feature
Centura College Chesapeake honors military and first responders at Hot Dogs for Heroes, a community cookout with games and prizes.
Written by Zakkiyya Anderson and Esperanza Poquiz
Last month, Centura College Chesapeake celebrated Independence Day by honoring Hampton Roads military personnel and first responders with Hot Dogs for Heroes, a cookout complete with music, games and raffle prizes!
Students, faculty and spectators enjoyed hot dogs, chips and desserts that were prepared by the staff in a blind bake-off. Music was handled by Wendell Bond, one of the campus’s massage therapy students. Bond kept the beats jamming throughout the entire event. No summer gathering is complete without corn hole, volleyball and jumbo Jenga, all of which were at the celebration. Students and staff both got in on the competitive fun, knocking over Jenga towers and sinking beanbags into corn hole boards.
Local vendors, like AT&T, First Command, STOP Inc. and Red Bull, were in attendance sharing resources with staff, students and the community. Raffle prizes included Norfolk Tides tickets and a Bluetooth speaker. All recipients of the raffle prizes either served in the military or were military spouses. Centura Chesapeake looks forward to continuing show appreciation for all the heroes who sacrifice so much for the community and country.
About Centura College
Centura College has been part of an organization dedicated to helping men and women develop careers since 1969. By training working adults in healthcare, technology, business, and skilled trades, they connect communities with some of the fastest growing career fields in today’s marketplace. The school offers professional facilities, knowledgeable instructors, day or evening classes, job placement assistance and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). To learn more, visit www.CenturaCollege.edu or like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centura.edu.
