For Immediate Release:
January 7, 2020
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
The successful marketing efforts of Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education have been recognized by the world’s largest lifelong learning association, the Learning Resources Network (LERN).
Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions was presented the 2019 LERN International Award for Excellence in Marketing. The award was just one of 20 given during LERN’s annual conference in San Diego, Calif., which was attended by 800 lifelong learning professionals representing five countries.
“The award is for innovation in the field of lifelong learning and serving communities,” says LERN President William A. Draves. “These awards enhance the quality and involvement in lifelong learning, an absolutely critical component to individual and community quality of life and prosperity in this century.
“With more than 100 award nominations every year, gaining an International Award is an outstanding achievement.”
Workforce Solutions embarked on a marketing campaign – led by Marketing Director Guy Curtis – with a goal of raising $3.5 million in fiscal 2019. It surpassed that goal by 8 percent.
LERN credits several strategies for that success, including targeted mailings of the print brochure to specified customers, a regular radio show, investment in a robust customer relationship management/marketing/email software program and a solid integrated marketing plan.
Workforce Solutions’ FastForward credential programs, which are short-term training courses in high-demand fields, such as commercial truck driver, heavy equipment operator, phlebotomy technician and nursing aide, played a large role in determining Workforce Solutions’ target audience, according to Curtis. Other FastForward programs include electrical, HVAC and plumbing apprenticeships.
“We’re committed to helping businesses and individuals in our community, and the FastForward programs offer the technical training and credentials desperately sought by area employers,” Curtis says.
Curtis says the recognition was an honor and the culmination of his team’s efforts.
“LERN has said for years that everyone in your department is responsible for marketing,” he says. “Whether it’s operations, programming, or corporate training, we all play a part in marketing the wonderful programs and services that we offer.
“Our entire team at Laurel Ridge truly deserves this award. The all-hands-on-deck approach and family-team environment make it a great place to work and positions us to do great things for our community.”
Learn more about Workforce Solutions’ programs at lfccworkforce.com.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With four locations — Middletown, Warrenton, Luray-Page County and most recently, Vint Hill— the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College (Laurel Ridge) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College. Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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