Virginia Western Community College has been designated an NC3 Leadership School by the National Coalition of Certification Centers, a recognition that college officials said will expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in advanced manufacturing and industrial technology.
The college’s Workforce Solutions division marked the designation during a July 2 event that highlighted its advanced manufacturing training labs and the expanded credentialing opportunities available through the program.
The NC3 Leadership School designation is the highest level of participation within the National Coalition of Certification Centers and recognizes institutions that serve as models for career and technical education.
As part of the designation, Virginia Western will offer new applied mechatronics courses in:
Applied Fluid Power with Vacuum Technology
Applied Mechanical Systems
Applied PLCs and Smart Sensors
College officials said the skills developed through the mechatronics career pathway are transferable across multiple industries, including advanced manufacturing and industrial technology.
“Nationally, NC3 has supported more than 430,000 students and issued over one million stackable certifications,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wilmer, Virginia Western’s vice president of academic and workforce solutions. “We are delighted that students in our region have been successfully earning certificates at the fundamentals level, and we know that offering applied level courses as a Leadership School will advance regional opportunities that much more.”
The designation also provides instructors with additional professional development opportunities through NC3’s Train-the-Trainer events, where faculty can gain hands-on experience with emerging technologies. Instructors may also become NC3 Master Instructors, mentor other educators and visit model campuses to strengthen curriculum and training facilities.
Regional manufacturers said the expanded program will help address workforce needs by providing employees with advanced technical training and nationally recognized certifications.
“Our industry is always changing, and it’s important that our technicians keep learning and have access to the best tools and training available,” said Ginger Hultquist, business operations for Jewell Machinery in Rocky Mount. “The program at Virginia Western Community College gives us that opportunity. The ability to schedule classes around our work demands makes it easy for employees to participate while gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on training that they can use every day.”
NC3 Leadership Schools offer students industry-recognized, portable certifications aligned with national skill standards.
C. Shay Whitlow, director of human resources and safety for StikPak Solutions Inc. in Rocky Mount, said several company employees have completed Virginia Western’s mechatronics curriculum and advanced into leadership positions after earning industry credentials.
“This new designation and the expansion of educational pathways will further enhance workforce development and provide manufacturers like StikPak with the talent needed to drive growth, innovation and long-term success,” Whitlow said.
Doug Agner, general manager of Graham-White Manufacturing, a Wabtec company in Salem, said the partnership will strengthen the company’s workforce pipeline.
“The partnership with Virginia Western reflects our commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce,” Agner said. “The NC3 Leadership School status and enhanced mechatronics courses will strengthen our talent pipeline and accelerate adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.”
