TCC, S.B. Ballard team up for training

When it’s time for training at S.B. Ballard Construction, employees simply walk into their own conference room in Virginia Beach to participate in sessions specifically designed by Tidewater Community College to meet their needs.

TCC’s Center for Workforce Solutions tailors training to solve specific business problems – in this case improved software skills – and delivers it onsite.

“We have enjoyed a great relationship with the Workforce Development team at TCC,” said Chris Crouch, business development leader at S.B. Ballard, one of the most respected construction companies in the state and builder of the new student center on the Chesapeake Campus. “They do a great job of listening to our needs and matching us with classes and instructors.”

TCC instructors and alumni from its own Visual Arts Center (VAC) are teaching six 4-hour classes in Adobe software, including Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Light Room.

“By bringing the experts to the table during planning, TCC was able to pinpoint and target the training with real world materials from the company,” said Shaina Yowell, project manager of the Workforce Enterprise System at TCC. “So far it has been a fun and exciting project to work on.”

S.B. Ballard training

The software training has led to improved videos and presentations at S.B. Ballard.

Crouch said that, as S.B. Ballard grows, its president and chief operating officer, Stephen B. Ballard, encourages his team to incorporate innovative technology skills into their daily responsibilities, allowing for more professional results and higher customer satisfaction.

“The need for training stems from an ongoing objective to take what we already know to the next level,” he said.

TCC and S.B. Ballard hope to collaborate on additional projects as needs develop. Ballard sits on the board of directors for the TCC Educational Foundation and is a past recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Philanthropy given by Virginia’s Community Colleges.