The Vocational Training Department provides Workforce Training, Education, and Support Services.
Workforce Training Services
The Vocational Training Department delivers demand-driven Workforce Training Services through designated instructional departments targeting three high growth occupational areas across the Commonwealth of Virginia: Business/IT; Manufacturing and Production; and, Services/Trades. The External Training Option (ETO) Program is operated under the Business/IT Training Area for consolidated supervision and administrative oversight, regardless of curricular direction. Through ETO, eligible VR clients receive training at local businesses within the community surrounding WWRC. In addition, designated WWRC Facility Services Trades staff share industry expertise and skills as ETO Instructors on the WWRC campus, as indicated by individual client goals. The statewide ETO Program allows training with businesses in a consumer's home community. To participate in the statewide ETO Program, students must have adequate transportation and housing.
WWRC's Vocational Training Department currently offers eight (8) post-secondary training programs accredited through the Council on Occupational Education (COE). The Forklift Operator curriculum, not a COE-approved program, is primarily offered as part of training programs in the Manufacturing and Production training department, but may also be offered as an 'add-on curriculum' for other training programs or as a 'stand-alone' program based on customized needs. A continuous evaluation of all training programs, in combination with analysis of economic and labor market indicators, current and projected growth industries, and diverse employer engagement strategies ensure that training programs remain demand-driven and responsive to industry and sector needs across the Commonwealth.
WWRC training programs offer a combination of workforce credentials and workplace certifications. Preparation for certification and/or industry credentials is part of the workforce training program curriculum, as relevant. However, independent testing for certification attainment and/or industry credentialing is coordinated and/or conducted through the Vocational Training Department Education Support Services department. Department Chair(s) work closely with the Education Support Services Department Chair to identify needed disability-related testing accommodations and to schedule testing in a timely manner.
Validated workforce credentials are issued by a specific industry or workforce sector and are required for entry to employment and/or employment advancement/career pathways within that industry or workforce sector. Workplace certifications are defined as documentation of knowledge, skills, and/or performance levels attained that may or may not lead to employment or employment advancement but are indicators of competencies for successful employment in a specific occupational area.
2020 Workforce Credential Table
2020 COE Approved Training Programs
COE Approved Programs
Changes to this list must be submitted in accordance with COE policies and procedures as outlined in the latest Handbook of Accreditation and Policies and Rules manuals. Use Council application forms found on the Council website under Documents/Applications and Forms.
| CIP Code | Program Description | Secondary Students Only | Quarter Hours | Semester Hours | Clock Hours | Course Prep Hours | Instructional Delivery Method | Degree | Teachout End Date | Status | New? |
|---|
| 47.0604 | Auto Mechanics Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 1250 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 52.0408 | Business Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 1250 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 12.0504 | Culinary Skills/Food Service Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 1250 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 99.9999 | External Training Options Program | No | 0 | 0 | 875 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 51.0801 | Health Occupations Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 1125 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 47.0101 | Information Technology Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 1250 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 15.0699 | Manufacturing Technology Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 410 | 0 | T | | | Active | No |
| 99.9999 | Materials Handling Training Program | No | 0 | 0 | 562 | 0 | T | | | Active | No
|
Related links:
Education Support Services
Education Support Services provides instruction, support, and assessment services to WWRC students to enhance vocational training program success based upon the student's selected career pathway, independence in their community, employability and the skill foundations to become a life-long learner. Services include:
Academic Support and Assessment Services
- One-to-one academic evaluations in collaboration with the Vocational Evaluation Department for the purposes of Vocational Assessment and Evaluation.
- Group academic assessments using the Test of Adult Basic Education for students in the Pre-Employment Readiness Education Program (PREP) Program and Vocational Training Services to determine academic strengths and weaknesses to facilitate appropriate instruction and accommodations.
- Group Academic Support classes (small groups of 6-12 students) for Vocational Training students to facilitate trade related academic growth and facilitate lifelong learning, based upon selected career pathway.
- Group study skills and test taking skills instruction designed to improve grades and pass rates for credentialing exams.
- Tutoring (small group of 1-3 students) a more intensive instructional program to assist students who have demonstrated trade related academic weaknesses which result in a documented risk of the student not being successful in their training area.
- Ability to Benefit testing provided in conjunction with Federal HEA Title IV Pell Grant funding requirements. Click HERE for a department-specific business process flow chart relative to the Ability To Benefit educational qualification identification and testing process, which supplements macro level WWRC Administrative Governance Manual protocols for coordination between the Admissions and Vocational Training Departments and the Business Office. Effective 12/07/2018, WWRC Voluntary Withdrawal from ALL Title IV Programs. Withdrawal Approval Notice for Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
Credentialing Assessment and Support Services
Workforce credentials are an important part of every students training program at WWRC. The ultimate goal for Credentialing Assessment and Support Services is to have each training course end with the student attaining at least one workforce credential based upon the student's career pathway. WWRC is an approved test site for ACT WorkKeys and Pearson VUE (A+, Net+, and GED). In 2018, WWRC became an authorized testing site for two new issuing organizations: Certiport and National Retail Federation (NRF). Certiport offers credential testing for Microsoft Office Specialist, Expert or Master (MOS) and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) through the Microsoft Imagine Academy. These industry-standard credentials meet the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) credentialing requirements. The Microsoft Imagine Academy is possible through a Memorandum of Understanding between disABLEDperson, Inc. brokered by the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and WWRC. As a NRF testing site, all students will be given the opportunity to acquire a Customer Service and Sales credential that is also a WIOA recognized industry-standard credential. Due to WIOA, the Virginia Department of Education Profile of a 21st Century Graduate and the fact that WWRC falls under Career Technical Education, WWRC is becoming even more focused on industry-standard credentials that align with Career Pathways to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
In addition to the list of 2020 Workforce Credentials and Certificates (above), other current credentials classes and assessments include the following:
- GED instructional classes for students in Vocational Training and local day students.
- Pre-GED assessments and GED testing for students in Vocational Evaluation, PREP, and Vocational Training.
- Career Readiness Certification (CRC) assessment and instructional classes are utilized to assess workplace problem-solving skills with test preparation as indicated for WorkKeys testing to attain a CRC.
- WorkKeys testing
- Learner's Permit support classes for select vocational training students based upon their need for Driver's Education licensed instruction to attain a learner's permit. If the student requires a licensed instructor to attain a permit, then Drivers Education Learner's Permit classes will be provided through Occupational Therapy.
Media Center/Employment Center & Job Seeking Skills Classes
Media Center/Employment Center are combined in location and in program offerings. The ERMC is located in the Watkins Activity Building to provide access to the ERMC facility and assets throughout evening hours when the Anderson Building is closed. The ERMC provides the following menu of services to students.
- Essential skills classes
- Instructional classes on job applications forms and processes, developing a resume (skills checklist), and job interview skills.
- Assists students in developing an employment portfolio
- Provides instruction and assistance in registering with the Virginia Employment Commission as needed
- Provides instruction and assistance registering with job placement agencies based upon the students' selected career pathway.
- Voter registration information, resources, and assistance, as needed
- Literacy resources and activities (i.e. Writer's Guild)
- The Ambassador's Leadership Program
- Provides assistance with job applications and successful completion of online pre-employment screenings
- Online Portfolio
Student Internship Program
Students who have completed the designated curriculum in their training area can participate in an Internship Program based upon their individual career pathway. Student Internships are typically 6-8 weeks in length and are provided in a variety of locations; both in the WWRC surrounding communities and statewide locations. Statewide SIPs are coordinated by sponsors, WWRC counselors, and Vocational Training Staff.
In some cases, students may have the opportunity to participate in an internship training with a local company that requires drug testing for ALL employees and any others who may be involved with production at the facility. No student will be required to attend such a site if they do not wish to take the drug test. This is a voluntary activity. On the other hand, if a student does take a drug test for one of these sites and the results of the test are positive, the student will not attend the site and will need to meet with their assigned WWRC Rehabilitation Counselor to decide on an appropriate plan of action.
Special Education Compliance
WWRC serves as a Local Education Agency through the Virginia Department of Education; therefore, we are required to provide IEP oversight and monitoring to assure compliance with Special Education Law and Policies. WWRC's Special Education compliance is administered through the Education and Workforce Support Services Unit. At times, students who still have an IEP request admission into programs at WWRC. If the program is longer than two weeks, the Education and Workforce Support Services Supervisor, or designee, must collaborate with high school IEP case managers and/or transition coordinators across the Commonwealth to assure that the students' IEP reflects transitional services provided by WWRC. This collaboration takes place prior to admission to WWRC and is required for admission.
Through collaboration, the Education and Workforce Support Services Unit and the home school utilize the IEP to document that transitional services are coordinated through DARS and WWRC. The IEP must effectively communicate to all stakeholders that WWRC instructors do not provide Special Education Services and that services will be suspended during the student's WWRC admission.
Students who have not yet earned a Standard or Advanced High School Diploma are eligible for Special Education Services in their home high school up until their 22nd birthday. Students who fall into this category are provided with an orientation to their right for Special Education services in their home high school and are requested to sign a Free Appropriate Education Notice (FAPE Notice) to authenticate that they have been informed of these rights (scroll to Vocational Training Services and select document by this name). The Education and Workforce Support Services Supervisor, or designee, is available to assist the student with contacting their home high school to coordinate the re-entry process for continuing Special Education Services as entitled, based upon the Free Appropriate Public Education Act.
Documentation of transcript review to establish entitlement to Special Education services is required by the Virginia Department of Education. The Education and Workforce Support Services Supervisor, or designee, is responsible for monitoring, tracking and documenting this data for all students under the age of 22 enrolled in a program longer than 2 weeks. This documentation includes the graduation date, diploma earned, the participating high school, and the date the student signed the FAPE Notice and is located in the following location (located on the shared department L Drive: ESS Data Folder > Spreadsheet titled Diplomas).
