Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
ROANOKE — Virginia Western Community College and Total Action for Progress are partnering to offer a low- to no-cost Certified Nurse Aide training program at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, aiming to help meet the region’s growing demand for healthcare workers.
The five-and-a-half-week course blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience and prepares participants to begin work immediately after earning their credential.
“We are excited to partner with Virginia Western Community College to help address the critical shortage of CNAs,” said Spring Abney, RN program coordinator for TAP. “This program is a great way to launch your healthcare career with potentially little to no cost.”
The program trains students to work as part of a healthcare team, assisting with daily patient care, recording vital signs, answering call lights, and supporting communication between patients and care providers. TAP has long offered CNA training in the region, and its program exceeds state requirements with 143 to 150 hours of Board of Nursing–approved curriculum.
Through the partnership, eligible Virginia residents may qualify for financial assistance, reducing the program’s $3,495 tuition. Instructional materials, job placement assistance and on-site certification testing are included.
Classes meet Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Roanoke Higher Education Center. TAP launches a new cohort roughly every six weeks, with the next session beginning Jan. 8, 2026. The center is accessible by Valley Metro bus routes 21, 25 and the SW line.
The need for CNAs continues to rise locally and nationally. More than 150 positions are currently open in the region, according to Virginia Western. The median annual salary for CNAs in the Roanoke area is $35,048, based on Lightcast economic data.
“Students gain valuable skills and a clear path to employment, healthcare facilities get well-trained professionals they can rely on, and patients receive the compassionate, quality care they deserve,” said Brittany Boltinghouse, the college’s workforce solutions coordinator for healthcare programs.
Enrollment is now open for the January cohort and is expected to fill quickly. Registration remains open until Dec. 23, 2025, or until capacity is reached. For more information, prospective students may visit the Enrollment Center in Chapman Hall, email enroll@virginiawestern.edu or call 855-874-8890.
