Danville Community College has taken an aggressive role in training Southside’s workforce.
The college even has a whole facility — RCATT — dedicated to training to assist with economic development.
Each year DCC partners with up to 25 businesses in Danville, Pittsylvania and Halifax counties, said Carlyle Ramsey, president of the school. In addition, several hundred students employed by area businesses enroll in programs for specialized training or to complete a degree.
“Danville Community College is committed to providing quality comprehensive higher education and workforce programs and services to promote student success and to enhance business and community development,” Ramsey said.
DCC has trained technicians for Goodyear, EIT South, Presto and J.R. Huber, to name only a few.
The goal is to give students the skills they need to land a good job.
“Our nursing and health science programs provide graduates for area hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and doctors/dentists offices,” Ramsey said.
Health science is one of the most popular programs. Others include precision machining, HVAC, welding, electronics, IT and business management.
“Precision machining has had close to a 100 percent placement rate since the early 1990s,” Ramsey pointed out.
“Graduates are employed throughout the region, the state and across the U.S.”
Placement rates are also very high in the health sciences, including nursing.
“There are a number of successful stories among several sectors throughout the region,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey touts a 2007 effort as being very successful. DCC’s Workforce Services Division launched an intensive 12-week certificate program to train and certify manufacturing technicians. The program was formally endorsed by numerous industry partners.
With an eye to the future — and a response to the sluggish economy — the college continues to expand programs and increasing the number of degrees, diplomas and certificates they offer.