OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: Virginia Chosen to Host Governor's Forum on Postsecondary Credential Attainment by Adult Workers
- One of 6 States Selected to Advance Policy Agenda and Lead to Increased Education and Skill Level Among Adult Workers

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

March 3, 2010

Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: Stacey.Johnson@Governor.Virginia.Gov

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Virginia has been chosen by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices to host a Governor's Forum on Postsecondary Credential Attainment by Adult Workers. Virginia is one of six states selected; the others are Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Montana and West Virginia. Each host state will receive a grant from the NGA of up to $10,000 for purposes of the initiative.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell said, "More and more adults are realizing that further education and lifelong learning are needed to compete in our knowledge-intensive 21st Century economy. Potential employees who have postsecondary credentials are in high demand. State governments should be looking for every way to help adult workers get the education they need to gain the good-paying jobs they deserve. This NGA forum will help us identify and implement the programs and policies that will make quality postsecondary education more affordable and accessible in the Commonwealth. "

Information on the Forum from NGA:
Participants in the Governor's Forums may include state leaders from the private sector, community colleges or P-16 councils, as well as experts in workforce development, human services and economic development. Each state will be awarded a grant of up to $10,000 to support state activities and will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from NGA Center staff throughout the initiative. Funding for this initiative is provided by the Lumina Foundation for Education, Inc.

For more information about this effort and other NGA Center Social, Economic & Workforce Programs initiatives, visit www.nga.org/center/sewp.

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