By Cierra Goode, Dinwiddie County
DINWIDDIE, VA – Dinwiddie County has received notification that it will receive a 2016 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo), for its Youth Workforce Development Initiative (DCYWDI). The NACo Achievement Award seeks to recognize innovative county government programs across the country.
Dinwiddie’s Youth Workforce Development Initiative falls under the auspices of the county’s Planning and Community Development division. The initiative was created in 2014, in response to feedback from local business and industry partners regarding the employability and competitiveness of Dinwiddie’s young people. “Employers were telling us that our young people were lacking certain ‘soft skills,' which was making them less competitive with peers from across the region,” stated Tammie J. Collins, deputy county administrator. “Soft skills cannot necessarily be obtained in the traditional classroom setting, so we designed an initiative that gives youth a variety of opportunities for hands-on experience in the workforce.”
“Since first taking office in 2012, this board has made Dinwiddie County youth a priority. We want to ensure that our youth have every possible opportunity to be successful,” stated Brenda Ebron-Bonner, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Cierra Goode is the DCYWDI coordinator and was grateful that the initiative was recognized by NACo. “It is truly an honor to have our initiative recognized by peers across the nation. We have worked diligently over the past several years to establish and grow the initiative, and this award is validation of our efforts,” said Goode.
This isn’t the first time Dinwiddie County has earned a coveted NACo award. The county received the award in 2013 for its Sports Complex.
Awards will be presented at the NACo Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California, next month.
To learn more about the Dinwiddie County Youth Workforce Development Initiative, visit: www.AccessDinwiddie.com.