Workforce Training Center opens at Woodbridge Campus of Northern Virginia Community College

Prince William County elected officials, Northern Virginia Community College representatives and community leaders helped cut a ribbon March 2 to open the Regional Center for Workforce Education and Training at the community college’s Woodbridge Campus.

The 55,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art center — with training rooms, a testing center and conference rooms — will serve Northern Virginia businesses, along with government and military communities, by providing high–quality training to educate and produce an able, ready workforce.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart spoke at the ceremony and said the center — which will offer courses in cybersecurity, information technology, program management, health care and customized training — will help the county and its young people be prepared to make a living and be “prepared to make their communities a much better place.”

Stewart said the county’s $1 million investment, which was matched by $28 million from the state, was an investment that would pay off for years to come by keeping the area’s workforce in step with future business developments. He went on to say that the highly-trained workforce that would come out of the center would attract businesses to the county.

Jeff Kaczmarek, executive director of the Prince William Department of Economic Development, said businesses that are looking to move to the county look first for an educated workforce.

Prince William Supervisor John D. Jenkins said the programs offered at the center will also help students who are just out of high school gain the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to get started on a career. A news release quoted Jenkins as saying, “Our partnership with NOVA allows us to develop the workforce of tomorrow.”

Scott Ralls, the President of Northern Virginia Community College, said the center was virtually unrivaled in the state and perhaps the country.

Prince William Supervisors Maureen S. Caddigan and Frank J. Principi also attended the ceremony.