Bill Text: VA HR376 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending Rural Empowerment.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Bill text as passed House (HR376ER) [HR376 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HR376-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, Rural Empowerment, an organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in rural areas by providing skill training for the jobs of tomorrow, completed its first pilot program in Danville in 2023; and
WHEREAS, Rural Empowerment was founded by Jay Challa, head of Shivar Consultants, and Vinai Thumalapally, former deputy director and chief operating officer of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, with a goal of supporting rural communities in the United States through job trainings and other resources that will enable individuals to succeed in the major industries of the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, Rural Empowerment's approach is to establish partnerships with local community organizations, industry leaders, and community and state colleges to develop and deliver training programs that cater to a specific location, the needs of the community, and local industry requirements; and
WHEREAS, Rural Empowerment facilitates its collaborative training programs by offering program coordination, professional development assistance, support with curriculum development, access to a wide network of industry leaders, and need-based financial stipends for participants; and
WHEREAS, Rural Empowerment launched its August 2023 pilot program, a 16-week cybersecurity training course, in coordination with Danville Community College, providing participants with valuable education and expertise to help them make an entry into the information technology industry, and is currently assisting the second cohort; and
WHEREAS, in addition to its training programs, Rural Empowerment is committed to assisting its participants as they take the next steps in their careers through its comprehensive professional development services, including resume crafting, interview preparation, and study support; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of Rural Empowerment are the result of the vision and leadership of its founders and the unwavering support of its program partners across the Commonwealth and beyond; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Rural Empowerment hereby be commended for the launch of its pilot training program in 2023; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Jay Challa and Vinai Thumalapally, founders of Rural Empowerment, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for their organization's mission and best wishes for its success.
