Over the next decade as many as two-thirds of the 1.5 million jobs that Virginia must fill will require more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor’s degree, according to leading economic analysis. Those jobs will demand an associate’s degree and industry-recognized certifications that Virginia’s Community Colleges help people obtain.

Virginia’s Community Colleges spent the spring and summer studying this issue, at the direction of the General Assembly and the McAuliffe administration. More than 1,500 business leaders weighed in at 22 town hall meetings held across Virginia. While those sessions confirmed the nuances and distinctions that make our regions unique and fascinating, they all confirmed the urgent need for more credentialed talent.

That feedback echoed the message from the 7,000 business and community leaders who engaged in the process of putting together the Virginia Chamber’s Blueprint Virginia business plan for the commonwealth in 2013, with workforce development cited as the top priority for our long-term prosperity.

…Virginia’s Community Colleges were created nearly 50 years ago to address the commonwealth’s unmet needs in higher education and workforce training. Today, those needs are taking the form of more credentialed talent. We are honored to work with the governor and General Assembly leaders to connect more individuals with vital career opportunities and the businesses that are eager to hire talented, trained people who will bolster their competitiveness.

Read the full op ed at http://www.richmond.com/opinion/their-opinion/guest-columnists/article_1006f52b-3bb6-572b-b274-79a47dfbc6af.html?_dc=974308060016.483