Cedar Mountain Stone Utilizes Apprenticeship Program to Showcase VA Ready Program

For nearly a decade, Ed Dalrymple, President of Cedar Mountain Stone and Chemung Contracting, has been at the forefront of workforce development initiatives for training programs designed to provide individuals skills training and opportunities to earn credentials related to construction and mining careers.  
 
VA Ready is an organization that offers training and credential assistance through Cedar Mountain and other Virginia organizations in the construction and mining industries. Below is the mission statement from VA Ready: 
 
“The Virginia Ready Initiative (VA Ready) is a business-led partnership. Our mission is to rapidly reskill Virginians for in-demand jobs by supporting credentials in high-growth industries where Scholars have a better chance of finding career pathways that are family-sustaining and fulfilling. 
  
To help promote the VA Ready program, Cedar Mountain Stone highlights one of their employees that will utilize the Mining Registered Apprenticeship program, Barbra McGowan.

	Barbra McGown

Barbra McGowan is shown with the Cat 988 loader that she operates in the quarry loading 40-ton haul trucks. Barb used the G-3 program for the HEO training and is a VA Ready scholar.

Within 3 months, the company identified her and someone VA Ready will continue to support in additional training. She will go to school while continuing to work and will eventually obtain an associate degree and a mine foreman's credential.

Barbra McGowan, a single mother, now has a life changing opportunity as a result of these programs. 

Cedar Mountain and VTCA are part of an industry coalition that is working to develop long-term solutions to provide a well trained and sustainable workforce for our industries. Please contact VTCA for more information on the VA Ready or other workforce initiatives.