Below is a written Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms related to operations of the Vocational Training Department. See also: AGM 5.3.1 - Acronymns; Self-Study Glossary of Commonly Used Abbreviations and Terms
Ability to Benefit (ATB) Provisions – provisions under the Higher Education Act, as amended, that provide an alternative path to eligibility for Federal student aid for students who do not have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. This provision was discontinued at WWRC in 2019.
BDM – DARS/DRS Business Development Manager
Blueprint (for Direction) – WWRC's tactical plan, usually a two-year period
Business Engagement – Leveraging the resources of business and industry as critical partners in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of WWRC Vocational Training and workforce preparation/support programs to identify occupational skill gaps, demand-driven training and hiring needs, and to help train/match qualified Agency job candidates with disabilities to viable employment opportunities
COE – Council on Occupational Education. This provision was discontinued in 2022.
Competencies –Specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for successful performance in a specific occupational area and/or training program
Competency Test – A group of questions and/or tasks to which a student responds to produce a quantitative representation of the student's knowledge, skills, and/or performance in a specific occupational area and/or training program
Completer – A student who has demonstrated the competencies required for a program and has been awarded a Certificate of Attainment, fully meeting graduation requirements
Curriculum – defined set of skills and tasks within a specific program of study leading to the attainment of critical competencies and successful training program completion
Community Driven Curriculum Projects - simulated work activities performed by Vocational Training clients during their training program and/or assessment to assist them in their career exploration or in learning occupational skills
DARS/DRS – Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Division of Rehabilitative Services, serving as the Vocational Training Department's primary referral source
Industry-Recognized Workforce Credential – validated credential issued by a specific industry or workforce sector and required for entry to employment or employment advancement/career pathways within that industry or workforce sector
Institutional Advisory Committee – per COE, "a group of at least three persons, a majority being external to the institution, who are knowledgeable of occupational education and employment needs of the community. Through regularly scheduled and documented meetings, the committee provides consultative assistance to the administrator of the institution to ensure that the institution continuously strives to meet the occupational education needs of the community" This COE provision was discontinued in 2022.
Occupational Advisory Committee - per COE, "a group of at least three persons, a majority being external to the institution, assigned to each training program, whose primary purpose is to ensure that desirable, relevant, and current practices are being taught in that training program" This COE provision was discontinued in 2022.
Department – a general term used to group programs of study that educate students in a variety of specific concentrations that are related to that term. Lead by a Department Chair.
State-Operated Education Program - programs that provide educational services to children and youth who reside in facilities according to the admissions policies and procedures of those facilities that are the responsibility of state boards, agencies, or institutions (§§ 22.1-7, 22.1-340 and 22.1-345 of the Code of Virginia).
Summary of Skills Graduate: A student who has not fully demonstrated the competencies required for a given training program, but who has mastered at least 80% of the required competencies for that training program and who is successfully employed in the field for which trained a minimum of ninety (90) days, as verified, in writing, by the assigned DARS/DRS Rehabilitation Counselor and/or employer. This provision was discontinued at WWRC in 2024.
Teach-Out – when a training program is in Teach-Out status, it is on a path towards discontinuation, with no new enrollments, but allowing currently enrolled students to complete the required curriculum within designated timeframes. This COE provision was discontinued in 2022.
Training Program – a combination of courses and related activities that lead to an industry-recognized credential and/or workplace certifications that are offered to develop competencies required for a specific occupation.
Training Program Assessment Status – a time limited period at the beginning of a training program for both newly enrolled WWRC Vocational Training student and the Instructor to determine a high likelihood of success for that program and/or career pathway - may result in full enrollment to the training program and/or a request to transfer to another training program (typically 30 instructional days, 6 weeks, or 25% of the program, may vary). This provision was discontinued at WWRC in 2024.
Training Program Full Enrollment Status – status in which a student is fully enrolled in a particular training program with the expectation of full graduation through Completer status.
VR - Vocational Rehabilitation
WIOA –Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act
Workplace Certification –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
Wrap-Around Supports – a collective set of supports, services, and interventions provided that reinforce pro-social skills and behaviors that are critical to success in the workplace and community living environments
