With over twenty percent of its workforce tied to manufacturing and technology, Virginia Region 2000 continues to experience an accelerated demand for engineers and skilled laborers. AREVA’s CEO, Tom Christopher, estimates that the nuclear power firm will require 800 additional engineers, 400 of whom would be in Lynchburg, over the next five years. According to Christopher, “Our needs and those of other local companies cannot be satisfied without changes in the number of engineers produced by the education system. We rely heavily on the Virginia Region 2000 workforce. The talent is here, we just have to provide the educational opportunities in order to meet the demands.” In order to provide “local talent” for “local companies”, numerous regional companies have agreed to participate in sponsoring local students in the CVCC/U.Va. Engineering program. Sponsorship may include: paid tuition, books, fees, part-time jobs, co-ops, internships, and mentorship. The goal of the program is for regional companies to identify and assist in training potential career employees. Additional information for each company’s participation is included below: