Keith Harkins, vice president of academic and workforce programs at Southside Virginia Community College, said Virginia’s FastForward program is checking those boxes. Community colleges across Virginia offer these short-term training programs for earning industry-recognized credentials. Randy Stamper, associate vice chancellor for career education and workforce programs with Virginia’s Community Colleges, said that this model has been especially helpful for rural students. Nearly 40% of all FastForward students are enrolled at one of Virginia’s 14 rural colleges, according to Stamper. Powerline training is one of the largest FastForward programs that Southside Virginia Community College offers.