Central Virginia Community College (CVCC) proudly announces that Dustin Falls, co-owner of Lynchburg’s F&B Contractors, was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Business Partner Award at this year’s College System’s Hire Ed conference. This award recognizes Falls and F&B Contractors for their invaluable contribution to launching CVCC’s Heavy Equipment Operator training program, a pivotal initiative designed to address regional workforce needs in central Virginia.
When CVCC identified a growing demand for skilled heavy equipment operators but faced a gap in instructional staff, Falls stepped in to help fill this need. By becoming an NCCER-certified instructor, he enabled the program to launch successfully and began offering hands-on training for students. His expertise, dedication, and resources have been integral to building a curriculum that aligns with industry standards and provides CVCC students with practical, job-ready skills.
“This year’s award spotlighting an Outstanding Business Partner Success Story is truly special. F&B Contractors is a local, family-owned business that has partnered with CVCC to provide well-trained heavy equipment operators,” said Jason Ferguson, associate vice president of Workforce Solutions. “These types of collaborative efforts between education providers and businesses are crucial to ensure there are skilled workers available to all industries to meet local workforce demands.”
This partnership truly exemplifies the impact of community partnerships in advancing education and economic development. Falls’ contributions through F&B Contractors have not only enabled CVCC to meet a vital workforce demand but also demonstrated the power of industry collaboration in delivering accessible, relevant educational opportunities.
For more information about CVCC’s Heavy Equipment Operator program and other workforce development initiatives, please visit centralvirginia.edu.