News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Military Heroes Participate in Workforce Training at Southside Virginia Community College
Recently, Southside Virginia Community College Foundation collaborated with Microsoft through the Cloud Operations and Innovations (CO &I) Military Datacenter Pathway to provide all inclusive hands-on training to U.S. Military Heroes. The Heroes are transitioning from their service in the military and into potential roles with Microsoft. Southside Virginia Community College proudly welcomed its second cohort of students, to include 38 U.S. Military Heroes, to its mock datacenter, Center for Information Technology Excellence (CITE) , located at one of the College’s off-site locations, Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center. Students had the opportunity to run simulated tickets for both Site Services and Critical Environment departments; training emphasized safety, work processes, and hands-on proficiency in a real-world environment.
Providing hands-on training like this is crucial in preparing students for the demands of the field, ensuring they graduate with the knowledge and confidence to succeed. Dr. Chad Patton, Dean of Career and Occupational Technology, states "It is truly an honor to continue this partnership with Microsoft. We appreciate the Heroes' service to our country.”
Investing in the training of exiting military personnel is not just an act of gratitude for their service but also a strategic move to harness their potential for economic and technological growth. Collaborative initiatives between Microsoft and SVCC exemplify how targeted efforts can open doors for veterans while addressing workforce needs in high-demand industries. To learn more about opportunities within CITE, please visit southside.edu/cite.

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