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The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center’s name change has been accomplished in accordance with the revised state code that was enacted into law July 1, 2015.  WWRC held a ceremony on campus, July 1, 2015, to recognize this significant change.  Elizabeth Creamer, Office of Secretary of Commerce and Trade and Workforce Advisor, was the keynote speaker for the event.  She described the Center’s legacy of service and acknowledged the exceptional performance and service of WWRC to individuals with disabilities.  Among the highlights was her emphasis on WWRC’s Career Pathways Award, the outstanding performance of WWRC students in completion of the Career Readiness Certification, and the degree to which WWRC has become a leader in offering training that is “business driven.”  She cited the accomplishments of the Hershey Company’s HEROS program (Hershey Extends Real Opportunities to Succeed) as an example of collaboration between workforce development and Virginia business/industry.
WWRC Preliminary Year-End Data (State Fiscal Year 2015)
Average Daily Census
WWRC finished State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015 with an average daily census of 331, up from 302 in the previous year (SFY2014).  WWRC averaged 188 vocational training clients enrolled per day in SFY2015, and had the highest number of LSTP participants (454 in the full 9-week LSTP program), since program inception (October, 2005)

Top Counselors
Special thanks to State Fiscal Year 2015’s top counselors.   Two DRS Counselors tied in using WWRC the most this year.  Jack Bullario and Nikki Thompson both referred 66 clients to the Center.  Thanks Jack and Nikki!  The top referring counselors from each region was as follows:  Northern, Jack Ballurio and Nikki Thompson; Central, Kate Kaegi; Eastern, Yvette McDaniel; and Southwest, Donna Martin and Nora Tucker.  The top ten referring counselors in SFY 2015 are as follows: Jack Ballurio, Nikki Thompson, Tracy Topolosky, Amy Pell, Loretta Harris, Bret Hart, Tammy Woodard Welch, Eleana Boyer, Jessica Stehle, and Leslie Diaz Ortiz.  These counselors will be recognized at WWRC’s September Graduation for their teamwork and collaboration with WWRC to reach employment outcomes for clients.
CVS, DARS, and WWRC Embark on Partnership
CVS Pharmacy representatives Duane Rohr, Manager of Workforce Initiatives, Charneta Young, former Manager of Workforce Initiatives, and Stacey Butler, Regional Learning Center Manager, are pushing forward with an initiative at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center.  CVS has made substantial donations of equipment and product to set up a mock store at WWRC.  In September Duane will work with WWRC to fine tune the WWRC curriculum to prepare students to work at CVS.  WWRC will also partner with local stores to provide internships as part of the WWRC experience.  Clients will be accepted in January 2016 for the program. There are over 300 vacancies on any given day at CVS stores located in Virginia. CVS Video Link

Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) Data
WWRC began Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) testing during SFY 2009.  A CRC is an assessment-based credential that gives employers and career seekers a uniform measure of key workplace skills. The CRC was developed due to concern about the gap between the skills required in today’s workplace and those exhibited by job seekers.  The CRC is a portable skills credential, assuring employers that a job applicant has the skills they seek in today’s complex and competitive work environment.  It has become a valuable assessment and training tool for employers throughout Virginia.

In State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2015, 192 consumers obtained a CRC credential at either the Gold (35), Silver (93), or Bronze level (64).  This was the highest number of consumers obtaining a CRC since the inception of testing in 2009.  The previous high was 140 in SFY14.   The pass rate for SFY15 was 91.4%.

Administrative Governance Manual