DANVILLE, VA – Danville Community College (DCC) is proud to announce the successful completion of its first 16-week Cybersecurity Training Program cohort. The completion ceremony for the inaugural cohort took place on Monday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Shields Student Center on the DCC campus.

“We’re incredibly proud of our inaugural cohort of cybersecurity training completers,” said Chadrick Younger, Director of Workforce Services. “They displayed enormous determination and persistence throughout the 16-week training and have a lot to show for their hard work.”

The cybersecurity training program, a hybrid initiative consisting of 15 hours per week over 16 weeks, has equipped 17 students with essential skills to navigate the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity. The program, made possible through strategic partnerships with the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, RURAL Empowerment, and the City of Danville, is the product of a 2-year Department of Labor grant secured earlier this year.

“The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Danville Community College to bring this important training to our region,” said Anne Moore Sparks, President & CEO of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. “By working together to secure this grant, we are impacting lives as evidenced by the first cohort completion ceremony and creating new members of the cybersecurity workforce, which is absolutely critical to our region as we move into the future.”

One distinctive feature of the program is the stipend offered to the participants. Recognizing the importance of overcoming barriers that may hinder individuals from engaging in such training, RURAL Empowerment has provided a supportive service in the form of a stipend. Participants received $15/hour for up to 20 hours per week throughout the duration of the training.

“We know that working adults often pass up opportunities to educate themselves because they are working and providing for their families,” said Dr. Mark Funkey, Vice President of Workforce Services. “By adding the $15/hour stipend to this program, we are eliminating some of those financial barriers and allowing working adults to receive training while also bringing in an income that offsets their time spent in the classroom.”

Danville Community College’s collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, RURAL Empowerment, and the City of Danville reflects a commitment to building a skilled and competitive workforce in the region. The success of the first cohort sets a promising precedent for future training programs, with 10-week and 16-week training already scheduled through 2024.

For more information about the 16-week cybersecurity training program at DCC or to get enrolled, call Paul Burnette at 434-797-8572 or Lakisha Crews at 434-797-8537.