Career Works Center Opens at Historic Triangle Campus

Thomas Nelson students and community members in the Williamsburg-James City County area have another resource available to help them with career exploration. The Hampton Roads Workforce Council opened the Virginia Career Works Williamsburg Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 7 at the College's Historic Triangle campus.

"We are proud of this partnership, which expands job-searching, career development, and training opportunities for those in our region," said Thomas Nelson President Towuanna Porter Brannon. "In all our efforts, we strive to position the College to meet the increasing demands for high-quality, affordable and convenient services that complement our educational programs. This partnership, which allows us to house the Virginia Career Works Williamsburg Center, is just one of many examples. We will continue to provide students with education and training opportunities in state-of-the-art learning environments."

Franz Albertini, dean of Workforce Development at the College, said this has been a long process and the center is not restricted to students.

"This initiative evolved due to the incredible efforts and the partnerships that we developed over the years with the Greater Peninsula Workforce Board and now the Hampton Roads Workforce Council," he said. "The Virginia Career Works Center here at the HT Campus will offer the community and the region at large free services for anyone needing assistance with job search, career development, and training. … The Virginia Career Works Center will be a gateway for those seeking access to a career, education, and supportive resources."

Hampton Roads Workforce Council officials, in a news release, said the services available will "include resume development, career-building workshops, training (sessions)." The center could also be the site of job fairs, hiring events, and orientations.

The new office space, in Room 118 on the first floor, has three computer stations and a private office. Its opening means students at the Historic Triangle campus won't have to drive to Hampton for those services. There are five other Virginia Career Works centers, including one at Thomas Nelson's Hampton campus in the Peninsula Workforce Development Center at 600 Butler Farm Road.

"We are extremely pleased these services, which have been available from our Hampton campus for some time, now are conveniently accessible for our greater Williamsburg community," Brannon said.

Shawn Avery, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, said it shows his organization's commitment and dedication to the area's workforce.

"We are excited to partner with Thomas Nelson Community College as we continue expanding and enhancing our workforce development solutions and training opportunities to ensure job seekers are equipped to meet the demands of employers across the region," he said.

The center will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.

For more information about the new center, contact Career Services Specialist Steven Miller at srmiller@theworkforcecouncil.org, or visit the Workforce Council's website at www.theworkforcecouncil.org.