September 17, 2024
2024 Page County High School graduate Noah Lucas thinks he has found the roadmap to a happy and fulfilling career. Shortly after his high school graduation, he enrolled in Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions’ fast-track CDL program.
Lucas learned about the 160-hour truck-driving school from his high school career coach, Susan Betcher.
“I have never seen a woman with so much energy,” he said. “She told me it was definitely something I could do and thought it would be a great idea for the family business.”
The family business is Lucas Farms, which includes providing poultry litter service, building contracting, landscaping and cabin rentals. Although Lucas had been driving trucks on the farm already, having his CDL now means he can drive freight. And, he found the class really helpful for some additional reasons.
“I always, always struggled with backing up,” he said. “I would say the backing-up portion of the class made a bigger difference than anything. I really had fun. It didn’t even feel like I was in a class.
“I was really nervous when I went on the first day, and I thought it would be awkward sitting there driving, but it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed myself. There was no reason to be embarrassed or nervous like I thought I was going to be. They taught me well, and the test was a breeze.”
Lucas, who took several dual-enrollment classes through Laurel Ridge while still in high school, said he is used to working hard and long hours – 10 or so hours most days, with about four on Sundays – and “loving every second of it.” He started off mowing at age 11 or 12.
Besides all of the help and support from Betcher, Lucas is grateful to FastForward career coach Lisa Heiser, who came to Page County High School in April as part of a Freshman Focus event, which offers new student orientation, priority registration, early access to academic advising and workforce coaching, plus free giveaways.
In spring 2024 alone, Laurel Ridge hosted 22 Freshman Focus events. It marked the first time Workforce Solutions joined the initiative. Heiser registered more than 30 students from 16 regional high schools.
Lucas had some questions after Heiser did her presentation.
“I asked Mrs. Heiser my questions, and that’s when the whole process got started,” he said. “She made it very easy to understand.”
Heiser said she enjoys helping a student realize their passion.
“I love seeing that ‘aha’ moment and then finding a way to make it happen,” she said.
Thanks to FastForward funding, Lucas only had to pay one-third of the $6,000 tuition for the class.
“It helped a lot financially,” he said. “It didn’t even take five minutes to fill out the paperwork.”
FastForward grants are “so impactful,” said Hesiser.
“Noah was able to train in four weeks and FastForward covered $4,000 of the cost,” she said. “His case is unique because he’s going into the family business, but a person with a CDL license can make an average of $46,000 after four weeks of training.”
Learn more about the CDL program at laurelridgeworkforce.com/cdl.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — 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. 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 is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
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.