WWRC is plowing through the winter of 2016 with our census near 350, and almost all Center programs are running near or at capacity. We appreciate the constant communication with DRS’s new District Managers and Business Development Managers as we continue to refine our Vocational Training programs. Tracy Topolosky, DARS Fishersville, is continuing her special assignment to evolve service to consumers with medical rehabilitation needs. She is continuing to grow the number of counselors WWRC is working with to provide Medical-to-work rehabilitation therapies
CVS Pharmacy
The first three consumers from WWRC to complete the CVS training module as part of the Materials Handling Program at WWRC are now participating in internships with two CVS stores in Staunton, and one in Waynesboro, Virginia.   WWRC is coordinating with CVS’s Workforce Development Manager and District Managers through LaPearl Smith, DARS BDM. Everyone agrees that seeing these smiling faces at these various stores is worth all the work that has gone into the DARS initiative to work with CVS. WWRC also offers a special thanks to the consumers Field Counselors, Kim Shepard, Ami Williams, and Nikki Thompson, for their support. According to CVS, there are multiple jobs available across Virginia at their stores and they are thrilled with the startup of WWRC’s training facility, which was donated by CVS to the WWRC Foundation.

 
WWRC’s Manufacturing Academy
Several students have been selected for WWRC’s “Dream It Do It” Manufacturing Academy. This will open the door to the goldmine for consumers and let them take a look into the world of possibilities that are becoming available in modern manufacturing. The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) has said that one of the first goals in building Virginia’s workforce is to reduce the interest gaps in these jobs. WWRC’s first Academy is scheduled from May 30 through June 3, with approximately a dozen consumers who have an interest in learning about manufacturing. Jim Leech will be heading up the Academy with support from the entire WWRC Team and our partners in the Field. Consumers will build a fully functioning solar-powered water purification plant using water from WWRC’s lake, and then bottle the water. They will also get lectures and introductory information on manufacturing from Jim, who is a retired engineer with decades of experience in manufacturing in facilities like “The Hershey Company.” Jim also started the Mechatronics Training program at Blue Ridge Community College, and provided training to numerous plants throughout Virginia. He joins the WWRC team to spearhead the Academy and he will build-out the Manufacturing Technology Training program at WWRC through the summer with the first cohort of students to begin around August. Our staff have been busily working with the Manufacturing Skills Institute to get WWRC Instructors, Jim Leech, Steve Sweeney and Dwight Foster, certified to teach the curriculum that prepares students to sit for the national exam and obtain their Manufacturing Technician 1 (MT1) credential. In addition to this, WWRC has retooled its Vocational Evaluation checklist and interest inventory to help guide DRS Counselors in selecting students who are likely to be successful in the MTT program. Finally, it is through the partnership with the Joe Ashley, in the Grants and Special Programs area, that WWRC is able to evolve this program with support of Innovation and Expansion funds, as well as support from the Career Pathways Grant. Part of WWRC’s role, as this program evolves, will be to help others learn techniques and strategies that will enable someone with a disability to be successful in obtaining the MT1 Certification and, ultimately, employment. VMA anticipates that there could be upwards of 60,000 jobs in modern manufacturing in the next couple of years. Lastly, WWRC has been extremely fortunate to benefit from ongoing consultation with our BDM team,