Williamsburg Christian Academy has appointed Rhonda Peterson to build its Workforce Readiness Program. The Workforce Readiness program at WCA has been in the planning stages since early 2020, and now will be launching in the new school year this Fall at WCA. The program will prepare young people for the workplace whether they plan to attend college or establish a career immediately after high school graduation. “I’m excited to join the Eagle family in a Christ-centered environment preparing our students of today for the challenges of tomorrow,” stated Peterson, a Williamsburg native. “I am eagerly looking forward to working with leadership, staff, and students. This new position will provide me with an abundance of opportunities and I feel that my relationship with the local business community will help grow WCA’s workforce initiative and support employers that are experiencing workforce shortages.” 

The program arrives at an opportune time, with labor shortages gripping several industries not only in the Historic Triangle but also nationwide. And with these shortages have come unprecedented opportunities for those entering the workforce directly from high school, especially in the skilled trades, which WCA’s program will focus on.

Peterson has served as a Career and Technical Education teacher at Williamsburg James City County Schools for the past seven years. A graduate of James Madison University, Peterson lives in Williamsburg with Eric, her husband of twenty-eight years. Additionally, she is the mother of two daughters, Olivia, who will graduate with her Master’s in May, and Victoria, who will graduate from high school in June. 

At WCA, we develop capable and responsible young graduates with a high degree of moral character, traits highly sought after by our Williamsburg community of businesses,” noted WCA’s Head of School, Johnny Graham. He added that “In addition to the enrollment stimulus that the Workforce Readiness Program will provide Williamsburg Christian Academy, students will have the opportunity to pursue certifications and licenses in many career fields such as EMT and HVAC as well as the plumbing, electrical, welding, and cybersecurity trades,”

Rhonda Peterson will assume her founding post on Monday, March 7.

WCA’s Workforce Readiness Program is seeking businesses that would like to partner with them to help develop our area’s youth for a changing workforce. Interested businesses should contact WCA for more information on the program, and the benefits of partnership. For more information, contact wrd@williamsburgchristian.org.