(Oakton, Va., June 3, 2013) Training Futures, the nationally-acclaimed workforce development program by Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS), held a grand opening ceremony at its new location in Manassas on Thursday, May 30. The program is housed in Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Innovation Park facility at 9485 Innovation Drive.
More than 80 community members including employers, Training Futures alumni, NOVA administrators, Prince William nonprofit organizations, and NVFS board and staff came to commemorate Training Futures’ new site and expansion into Manassas. Virginia Senator Charles Colgan, Senator George Barker and Delegate Jackson Miller also were in attendance.
Mary Agee, president and CEO of NVFS, described Training Futures as a win-win for the community: “This program helps businesses,” she said, referring to Training Futures’ ability to prepare a skilled and motivated entry-level workforce. “But it also brings hope to our trainees, and it happens right within these walls.”
“Training Futures is a human services program that works with the entire student,” said Carol Jameson, associate CEO of HealthWorks for Northern Virginia. Above and beyond office skills, Carol credited the trainees’ work ethic, initiative, and willingness to pitch in and be part of the team that are critical for their long-term success. HealthWorks currently employs five Training Futures graduates.
Program alumnus Katherine Cross, who was a secretary in her homeland of Trinidad, used Training Futures to help prepare her for joining the workforce in America. She currently works for Home Instead Senior Care, and has returned to Training Futures as an administrative volunteer the last five years. “The expectations are high,” she said, “but the program really does prepare you for the future and beyond.”
For more information about Training Futures, including becoming a volunteer, internship partner, hiring partner or for an application form, please visit www.nvfs.org/trainingfutures.
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