Access a stable workforce through our strategic partnerships.
Business and individuals deserve the opportunity to succeed. Martinsville-Henry County has the necessary resources in place to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy and ever-evolving labor skillset. It’s more than hiring – it’s about providing a stable workforce and addressing your business needs.
Flagship manufacturing programs through Patrick & Henry Community College
Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) is one of 23 community colleges in Virginia. In addition to post-secondary education, P&HCC provides dual enrollment and career/technical education for high school students throughout Patrick, Henry, and Franklin Counties, as well as the city of Martinsville. The Center for Digital Education ranked P&HCC among the Top Ten Most Tech-Savvy Community Colleges in the country. Most importantly, industry or relevant third-party certificates are embedded in the curriculum of all academic programs as a means to enhance career readiness of graduates.
Certified Production Technician Program
This program aligns with the nationally recognized certificate, Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) Standards, to enhance core knowledge and skills for production work, from entry to front-line supervisory level. Program covers 4 modules: Safety Awareness, Quality Practices and Measurement, and Manufacturing Processes and Production. Maintenance Awareness focuses on preventive maintenance, indicators for correct operation, and issue recognition related to Electrical, Pneumatic, Lubrication, Automation, Hydraulic, and Couplings.
General Engineering Technologies
Students develop skills in the application of theories and hands-on experience in a variety of engineering settings such as industrial, manufacturing, and commercial. Graduates will be qualified for jobs such as engineer’s assistant, supervisor trainee, manufacturing specialist, quality assurance auditor, CAD technician, maintenance lead person, team leader, and computer-controlled process technician.
Industrial Electronic Technology
This program provides highly skilled industrial technicians. Training covers Sensors and Transducers, Automated Controls, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) Motor Control Circuits, AC/DC Motor Drives, Pneumatics, Microprocessors and Computer Programming, Computer Hardware and Software Applications, Instrumentation, Electronic Data Communication, Systems Troubleshooting and Preventive Maintenance.
Industrial Welding Certificate
Students develop proficiency in skills using current technological tools of the profession, and take the American Welding Society D1.1 Structural Welding Code Certification Test.
Motorsports Program
The Racing College of Virginia, housed at Patrick & Henry Community College, offers specialized training aligning with NASCAR standards and other automobile-related manufacturing and repair occupations. They learn the basics in addition to machining, welding, engineering, and how to operate data acquisition systems and software to design different parts critical to a race car. NASCAR, HT Motorsports, Arrington Manufacturing, Roush Racing, Toyota, Harvick Racing, and many other local companies and fabrication shops hire program graduates.
Motorsports Engine Technology
Advanced skills and knowledge in the production of high performance engines to meet workforce needs of race teams and engine manufacturers.
Motorsports Fabrication and Set Up Technology
Fundamental skills for race car component installation and repair, including proficiency in structural alignment, vehicle set-up for prescribed environments, and adjustment to track conditions.
Motorsports Management
Specialized skills related to the management of a motorsports-related business.
Relevant career certificates for automotive manufacturing industries include:
Industrial Controls
Fundamental skills for installation and repair of electrical control systems, including proficiency in electrical codes, OSHA criteria, programming system controllers, and system troubleshooting.
Industrial Maintenance Electronics
Skills and knowledge needed for maintenance and repair of modern production equipment. Graduates earn proficiency in electrical codes, OSHA criteria, and system troubleshooting.
Welding
Fundamental skills and knowledge in metal trades. Graduates demonstrate proficiency in oxyacetylene processes, arc and MIG welding procedures.
New College Institute
New College Institute (NCI) is a state-funded higher education center. The closest public universities are 2+ hours away from Martinsville. NCI was established in 2006 to bring 4-year university education to Martinsville-Henry County. Today, NCI continues to partner with universities to bring high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees to the area as well as other high-demand training opportunities. NCI’s main building is the Baldwin Building on Fayette Street – a $15 million, 52,000 sq. ft. building in the heart of Martinsville’s Uptown district – and houses cutting-edge equipment, lecture halls, and classroom spaces available to the community.
NCI partners with the following universities to bring high-demand postsecondary education to the region:
- Longwood University: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education; Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education
- Radford University: M.S. in Strategic Communications
- Bluefield University: M.A. in Counseling
- Virginia Tech: Doctorate in Educational and Leadership Policy Studies
Workforce Training and Career Advancement
- Fiber Optic Technician Training
- Offshore and Onshore Wind Industry Certifications
- Skilled Trades Training
- Cyber Security Training for Localities
- Pearson Vue and College-Level Examination Program testing services
- Federal Aviation Administration Recreational UAS Safety Testing
Innovative Programs
The Martinsville-Henry County region is well positioned to help your company redefine itself for the future and become better prepared for the rapidly evolving global business landscape. Check out the innovative programs that can help bring your ideas to light.
Dalton IDEA Center
The Dalton IDEA Center is a 1,600 sq. ft. facility in Uptown designed to support innovation in the region. Local industry and entrepreneurs can access the FAB Lab for engineering new products confidentially. The facility houses 10 design stations; a Roland Camm-1 SERVO 24” vinyl cutter; Roland MDX-20 Mill/Sanner; Stratasys uPrint SE Plus; Formech 686 Vacuum Former; Universal Laser 4.60; Routermate 4’X 4’; Torchmate 2’ X 4’; Morgan Industries Plastic Injection Molding Machine; Makerbot Replicator 1; along with work tables. The center also houses entrepreneurial support services as well as classroom space.
GenEdge Alliance
The GenEdge Alliance is a statewide consulting resource based in Martinsville to assist Virginia businesses with innovation, competitive markets and business growth. Consulting fees are subsidized by 60% via a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Standards & Technology Branch. Services to the industry focus on optimizing manufacturing processes, supply chain optimization, and sustainability, then are customized to address the particular company’s issues.
Business assistance for workforce readiness
Martinsville-Henry County is dedicated to making our local businesses a success and we have put the resources in place to help achieve this goal. Whether you are hiring, expanding or relocating to our community, we are dedicated to understanding your workforce needs and aligning you with the necessary resources.
Virginia Workforce Center
The Virginia Workforce Center, in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce, is a one-stop shop to provide a variety of workforce and human resource services to our local employers. Services include:
- Job Registration and Pre-employment Screening
- Target Recruitment Events
- Adult Internships or Work Experience
- On-the-Job Training
- Incumbent Worker Training
- Federal Bonding Program
- Customized Training
- Plant Closings/Layoffs
ACT Work Ready Community
To prove the readiness of the region’s workforce, the VCW West Piedmont, in partnership with P&HCC and other schools, are actively implementing National Career Readiness Certificates. Students earn the certificate through WorkKeys assessments based on situations in the everyday work world, including: applied mathematics, applied technology, business writing, listening, locating information, observation, reading for information, teamwork, and writing.
Youth Interested in Manufacturing
Martinsville-Henry County connects students with manufacturing at an early age.
STEM Days
Throughout the year, New College Institute hosts K-12 STEM days focused on C++ programming, robotics, and Art, Tech, and Environmental Science. NCI is also available for custom field trips to public and private schools within the West Piedmont region. During the fall race week at the Martinsville Speedway, NCI – in partnership with the Wendell Scott Foundation – hosts race week events for students and field trips to explore career opportunities in racing and meet local and regional racecar drivers.
Summer Camps for Manufacturing
New College Institute sponsors and organizes summer camps for middle and high school students featuring key topics to spark career opportunities.
