Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) has been awarded a Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) grant to expand its workforce training programs in building trades.
The college will receive $129,527 to enhance its electrician training program through the use of a mobile training lab, making skilled trades education more accessible to students across the region.
This grant comes at a time of significant growth for P&HCC’s building trades programming.
The college has seen a sharp increase in both employer demand for trained workers and student enrollment in related programs over the past two years.
With this expansion, P&HCC aims to meet the growing need for skilled electricians and provide opportunities for students who face challenges accessing the main campus.
“We’re excited to use this funding to take our training directly to students, especially those who may have transportation barriers,” said Rhonda Hodges, Vice President for Workforce, Economic, and Community Development at P&HCC.
"The mobile lab will allow us to offer hands-on training in electrician skills, including Greenlee/NC3 certifications, in more accessible locations.”
The mobile lab will be equipped with the necessary tools and technology to offer specialized training and certifications. It will be stationed at P&HCC’s Patrick County site, The Franklin Center, and will also serve the Henry County Adult Detention Center.
At these locations, students will have the chance to earn up to 11 industry-recognized certifications in electrical work, providing them with the skills needed for high-demand jobs in the region’s building trades sector.
Since launching the Greenlee certification program in April 2023, P&HCC has seen tremendous success, and the college anticipates serving up to 40 students each year through the mobile training lab.
The portable nature of the lab will allow students from rural areas, where transportation can be a significant hurdle, to participate in programs they otherwise may not have had access to.
For residents of Patrick and Franklin counties, the mobile training lab represents a unique opportunity to access career training without the need for long commutes.
Additionally, incarcerated individuals at the Henry County Adult Detention Center will now have the chance to receive valuable training in a field that offers promising career prospects, which could otherwise remain out of reach.
“The demand for trained electricians is high in our region, and this grant will allow us to help fill that gap,” Hodges said. "This is not just an investment in education, but in the economic future of our communities."
The mobile lab will play a crucial role in meeting the workforce needs of the region, equipping individuals with the skills and certifications needed to succeed in an in-demand career path.
As the building trades industry continues to grow, P&HCC’s expanded training efforts will ensure that more local residents are prepared to take on these critical roles.
In the photo: Greenlee certified instructor Lionel Nolen demonstrates equipment from the P&HCC industrial electronics course that will be included in mobile lab instruction.