“CHINA IS CRUNCHING US.” IF VIRGINIA IS TO COMPETE FOR GREEN JOBS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES LIKE GERMANNA MUST PREPARE STATE’S WORKFORCE

Terry McAuliffe, chairman of GreenTech Automotive, says he’s bringing 5,000 “green collar” jobs to America from China, and that he’d like for a lot of those jobs to go to Virginians. His company bought a Chinese car manufacturer and is transplanting it to the United States.

During the Greenforce Summit hosted by Germanna Community College’s Center for Workforce and Community Education last week at the Daniel Center in Culpeper, McAuliffe, said, “I’m looking for a trained workforce here in Virginia” and that community colleges must play a key role in that training or the U.S. could lose the growing competition for green jobs to emerging ecomomies such as China’s.

“Not only in Virginia, but in America, we have got to get in front of this,” he said. “China is crunching us.”

McAuliffe said he’d like to locate a lot of jobs involving construction of electric and hybrid vehicles in a part of Virginia with a high unemployment rate.

He said the site must, “have good rail access, be close to a port and have quality workforce development. It doesn’t do any good unless I can get people to work in the factory.”

Virginia Community College Chancellor Glenn DuBois said the state’s community colleges are up to the job of preparing the workforce for to fill green jobs.

“Until recently I didn’t see a huge demand for jobs, but we are now starting to see it and starting to respond,” DuBois said.
“There is much more to do,” DuBois said. “We have to teach it and prepare the workforce for it.”
He is optimistic about the VCCS’ ability to deliver in part because: “I’ve never seen a better environment for grants. And green sustainability is at the top of the list.”

Grants from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation helped fund the Germanna summits as part of the national Greenforce Initiative, organized by the National Wildlife Federation and Jobs for the Future.

“Community colleges across the country,” said Victor Branch, marketing manager for Bank of America, “are at the forefront of green growth and innovation whether it’s addressing their own sustainability, developing new curricula to cultivate the green workforce or making their campus operations a classroom by integrating sustainability into education to prepare graduates for jobs in the renewable energy and low-carbon economy.”

It's been a wonderful life for GCC 2011 Distinguished Person of the Year winner

When the Germanna Educational Foundation named Edward V. Allison Jr. its 2011 Distinguished Person of the Year Friday night at Fredericksburg Square, GCC President David A. Sam explained Allison's impact in a way everyone could understand.
Former winners of the honor include former state Sen. John Chichester and Dr. Jane Ingalls, R.N.

Germanna President David A. Sam said: "At the end of the movie, ‘'It's a Wonderful Life,’' George Bailey receives a book from the angel Clarence with the inscription: ‘'No man is a failure who has friends.’' Ed Allison is so far from a failure as demonstrated by all the friends in the room tonight and in our community.

“"But to have friends, you must be a friend. And to be a friend, you must give of yourself,” said Sam. “Ed Allison does that. He is a servant leader, living the ideal of giving of himself through leadership to a cause of calling larger than himself. He is a model for all of us, and most deserving of this recognition.”"

Mike Catell, director of GCC's Educational Foundation, said: "Ed Allison's extraordinary service has positively impacted thousands of lives throughout our region. He is a true servant-leader, and the Educational Foundation is honored to recognize and celebrate his life of service."

Chichester, a lifelong friend of Allison and himself the 2010 Distinguished Person of the Year, said "Most every city, county and town are blessed with ... one or two individuals who are always ready and willing to contribute to the betterment of their community, church, neighborhood or whatever may need a helping hand. Fredericksburg is a community that possesses one such individual. We are fortunate that Ed Allison lives here. Ed is, and has always been, totally committed to his community."

Chichester praised Allison for his contributions to higher education and banking, saying: "He always kept a keen eye on how he could contribute to the overall betterment of the entire Fredericksburg area. He is truly a deserving recipient of this most prestigious award."

Allison retired in 2003 as President of Virginia Heartland Bank
He was a member of the Fredericksburg School Board from 1971-77 and is currently a member of the University of Mary Washington Foundation, Mary Washington Hospital Foundation, and is on the board of the Rappahannock United Way.

The awards dinner raised $50,000 for the GCC Educational Foundation.

Fredericksburg Square and StellarOne Bank were sponsors of the event.

GCC Educational Foundation names Ed Allison its 2011 Distinguished Person of the Year

Germanna Community College's Educational Foundation named Edward V. Allison, Jr. its 2011 Distinguished Person of the Year Friday night at Fredericksburg Square in recognition of his extraordinary record of service spanning
40 years.

Former winners of the honor include Sen. John Chichester and Dr. Jane Ingalls, R.N.

Chichester, a lifelong friend of Allison, and the 2010 Distinguished Person of the Year, said "Most every city, county and town are blessed with ... one or two individuals
who are always ready and willing to contribute to the betterment of their community, church, neighborhood or whatever may need a helping hand.

"Fredericksburg is a community that possesses one such individual. We are fortunate
that Ed Allison lives here. Ed is, and has always been, totally committed to his community."

Chichester praised Allison for his contributions to higher education and banking, saying: "He always kept a keen eye on how he could contribute to the overall betterment of the entire Fredericksburg area. He is truly a deserving recipient of this most prestigious award."

Fredericksburg Square and StellarOne were sponsors of the event.

DiversityJobsUSA Mentoring Leadership Recruitment Program:

Program Opportunity Position:  A College Student Participant With DiversityJobsUSA Mentoring Leadership Recruitment Program 
Rquirements:  Students Must Be Ambitious. Have a 3.5 or Above GPA. Must Exemplify Leadership Characteristics. Have A Great Personality. Must Be Reponsible/ Reliable & Diligent Workers. Must Have transportation  To Attend The Interview Sessions On February 24th, 2011 and February 25th, 2011 (Interview Location Will Be At- The Marriott in Fredericksburg, Virginia).
 College Student Benefits  of Participating With DiversityJobsUSA Mentoring Leadership Recruitment Program:   The Program Will Afford Selected Students The Opportunity To Establish Hands-on Mentoring Relationships With The Programs Success Mentors In The Corporate, Business and Civic Industry Arenas. Build Relationships With Hiring Managers, From Fortune 1000 Companies; Participate In High Impact (Local & National) Internship Opportunities With Major Employers; Interview For Career Opportunities/ Job Opportunities With Leading Companies.
To Reserve An Interview Slot For This Program: Please Email A Resume & Coverletter To NLCarter@bellsouth.net (ASAP) 
Date of Program Interviews Will Be:   Thursday-  February 24th, 2011 & Friday- February 25th, 2011 8:00 a.m. to  4:00 p.m.
Event Description:   DiversityJobsUSA/ Natha Communications Inc.  will be hosting on-site interviews with selected college students, for DiversityJobsUSA (Fredericksburg) Mentoring Leadership Recruitment Program on  Thursday-  February 24th, 2011 and on Friday- February 25th, 2011  from  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Marriott Hotel. Therefore, DiversityJobsUSA will be selecting 25 college students (Fresmen to senior level) students to participate in this program.
If You Are Interested In This  Leadership Program Opportunity, Please Contact: Nicole Carter at nlcarter@bellsouth.net or  NCarter@diversityjobsusa or  (954) 364-6260 ASAP.  Please note, that students will be selected for the on-site interviews based on them meeting the program requirements and on a first-come, first serve basis.