Truist Foundation Partners with Virginia’s Community Colleges to Close Equity Gaps Through Increased Access to FastForward Training Programs

RICHMOND (June 17, 2021) — Thanks to a $100,000 grant from The Truist Foundation, more low- and middle-income Virginia residents will have access to scholarships for FastForward, a short-term workforce training program for in-demand career fields launched by Virginia’s Community Colleges.  

The Truist Foundation’s contribution will provide financial assistance for 100 to 150 eligible students, helping them earn industry-recognized credentials and improve their career opportunities.

“The award represents an important investment in Virginia’s workforce and economy,” said, Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “With the prevalence of pandemic-related job loss, food and housing insecurity, and an increased reliance on technology, the development of skills training is more vital than ever.”

“At Truist, our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities,” said Dan O’ Neill, Virginia-East regional president for Truist, on behalf of the Truist Foundation. “We’re proud of this partnership and the implications it will have in benefiting our commonwealth’s students seeking to gain the skills necessary to enter the workforce.”

“A college credential can be life-changing, meaning better jobs and higher wages for deserving students and their families,” said VFCCE Board Chairman Dr. Stewart Roberson.  “At this pivotal moment, having the ability to retrain for today’s in-demand jobs is critical in long-term pandemic recovery efforts for individuals, families and Virginia’s communities.”

Building the future of Virginia by supporting students pursuing workforce training scholarships will positively impact the lives of individuals, their families, and Virginia’s communities.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges (VCCS): Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than 250,000 students each year. For more information, please visit https://www.vccs.edu/.

The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education (VFCCE) is the supporting arm of Virginia’s 23 community colleges. The VFCCE works to broaden educational access, support student success, and provide innovative solutions to workforce needs. Our mission is “Building student success and the Commonwealth’s future by supporting Virginia’s Community Colleges”. To ensure access to high quality, affordable education, the VFCCE provides statewide leadership in raising funds for community college education, supplementing and supporting the activities of the 23 individual colleges, and securing support for major system-wide initiatives that could not be undertaken by any single college. For more information, please visit https://vfcce.org/.

About Truist Foundation: The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on leadership development, economic mobility, thriving communities and educational equity. Learn more at Truist.com/Purpose/Truist-Foundation.