Brooke Shehan and David Shofstahl will be heading up the Appalachian Hardwood Training Initiative at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, serving as Project Coordinator and Workforce Coach, respectively. The three-year grant will develop educational and training opportunities for those employed in the industry's sawmills and wood manufacturing facilities. DSLCC hosts the only 2-year Forest Management Technology program in Virginia.
Brooke Shehan has been appointed to serve as the Project Coordinator for the new Appalachian Hardwood Training Initiative grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, it was announced recently by DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone.
In addition, David Shofsthal has been appointed as the Workforce Coach for the project.
“Both Brooke and David have played a major role in the success of the Workforce Solutions division,” said Dr. Rainone. “They both bring many years of project management, coaching, and workforce development experience to their respective positions.”
Shehan has been serving as the FastForward Career Coach for the Workforce Solutions and Community Education division. FastForward programs provide short-term training to eligible Virginians in order to earn industry credentials and certifications for the most in-demand jobs, including Commercial Driver’s License-A or Pharmacy Technician, among many others.
Shofstahl has been serving as the Apprentice Coordinator in the WSCE division, lining up apprenticeship programs for a variety of local businesses and industry. He also an adjunct instructor for HVAC, plumbing and OSHA 10 construction classes.
The three-year grant is in partnership with Big Sandy Community & Technical College (KY) and Glenville State University (WV) and will develop educational and training opportunities for those employed in the industry's sawmills and wood manufacturing facilities throughout the ARC region as well as for unemployed and underemployed individuals in the region. The project will recruit and support new and incumbent workers through a comprehensive training and education program that will create pathways for the upskilling and creation of hardwood-related jobs in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
It was announced late last year that DSLCC had been awarded $1,466,029 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to develop The Appalachian Hardwood Training Institute, which is part of a nearly $52 million award package.
“This is an exciting new project for the College and we are proud to have Brooke and David in the leadership roles,” said Dr. Rainone.
For more information about the Appalachian Hardwood Training Initiative, contact Shehan at (540) 863-2855 or bshehan@dslcc.edu.