2024 SWVHEC Annual Report

Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Program

The Center worked with the General Assembly and the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget to secure another $1,500,000 in funding for the Virginia Rural Information Technology Apprenticeship Grant Program for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. To date, there are six companies enrolled in the program with 31 apprenticeship positions approved. Six apprentices have already completed the 18-month program. The program has awarded over $1,548,000 in previous fiscal year grants to these companies. The program works by providing grants to small, rural information technology businesses that are headquartered and operating in a qualified locality. Grants provide half of the direct compensation in salary and benefits for an apprentice, up to $60,000 for up to 18 months. Prior to the grant, a business must register as an apprenticeship sponsor. Qualified localities include the counties of Alleghany, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe and the cities of Bristol, Danville, Galax, Martinsville, and Norton.

Learn more about the program!

On November 18, 2023, the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center hosted its 15th annual Southwest Virginia First LEGO® League (FLL) Regional Tournament. Since November 2009, the Center has provided the regional location for local teams to compete against other local teams in order to advance to the state competition. Students ages 9 to 14 have the opportunity to program autonomous robots (using LEGO® robot kits) to score points on a thematic playing surface. Students learn about teamwork and must abide by the program’s Core Values. Throughout 15-Year Anniversary: SWVHEC hosts Regional LEGO League Robotics Competition

the years, the regional competition has hosted up to 24 teams annually, hundreds of students and thousands of parents and supporters. The event is also livestreamed

via YouTube. To host, the Center recruits dozens of volunteers to be judges, referees, pit managers and overall event support. The day is always filled with excitement and energy.

2023-24 Annual Report

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