Virginia Embarks on a Statewide Promise
The state of Virginia has taken a big step to address college access by signing legislation to join a statewide Promise initiative titled “Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead” Initiative, or G3. G3 aims to not only make community college tuition free, but also prioritizes educational programs that provide a pathway into high demand careers. G3 seeks to generate economic mobility and development by creating skill sets and credentials that allow for easier access to entry-level jobs. Not only will G3 create better opportunities, but account for the barriers that come with taking advantage of these opportunities. By investing in student life, with living allowances and better academic counseling, G3 structurally incentivizes students to enroll and complete these programs. As policy brief author, Elizabeth Narehood states, “Community colleges are especially attuned to the needs of their service area and Virginia’s G3 is one of the most important pieces of legislation to impact the Virginia Community College System since its formation.”
Narehood interviewed the Virginia Secretary of Labor, the Virginia Community College System Chancellor, and a Community College President, in order to understand how G3 came to be. “I appreciated the candid responses about the challenges they encountered, and the creative approaches used to resolve conflict and navigate a shifting political landscape,” she expressed. “Each spoke to feeling the gravity of this legislation, but a strong drive to get it passed due to the positive future impact on both individuals and businesses.”
G3 seeks to generate economic mobility and development by creating skill sets and credentials that allow for easier access to entry-level jobs. Not only will G3 create better opportunities for postsecondary education, but also boost economic growth along the way. As Narehood observed, “not only do many promise students gain knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace but they develop in many other ways as they grow confidence, become open to new experiences and different ideas, challenge themselves, develop an appreciation for learning, and most importantly want to help others or give back to their community.”