Veterans and military students will have an easier time earning credit for prior learning thanks to a new online tool created by Virginia’s Community Colleges. The Credits2Careers Veterans Portal will allow students to upload their Joint Services Transcript to see instantly how many academic credits their work experience could translate into more than 1,700 community college programs. You can access the portal at this link: www.credits2careers.org.

The portal also provides real-time employment information and enables veterans and service members to explore civilian careers related to their area of expertise or interest.

“Today’s announcement means our community colleges are the only college system in the nation with this comprehensive, patent-pending tool,” said Carlos Hopkins, Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. “The Credits2Careers online tool will make it easier than ever before for our men and women in uniform to find a career path to transition from their service to civilian life. This portal will save individuals time, money, and hassle as they look for an accelerated way into the civilian workforce.”

Virginia’s Community Colleges served 36,868 veterans and military-related students last year. This tool positions the colleges to attract and help even more of these students.

“Awarding credit for prior learning is something that always sounded better in theory than it was in practice, until today,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “Military service is increasingly a technical experience. And thanks to the hard work of hundreds of people across our community colleges, and other state agencies, we are in a positon to reward that in-uniform service in an unprecedented way.”

Matt Adams, a Marine Corps reservist and Tidewater Community College student demonstrated the portal at the unveiling event at the Virginia Community College System Office.

“I can’t say enough about this new tool. It’s going to help a lot of people like me save time and money in the pursuit of a college credential,” Adams said. “This is a difference-maker for those seeking their next step in civilian life. I’m sharing it with everyone I served with.”

The Credit2Careers portal debut coincided with the dedication of Veterans Resource Centers at seven of Virginia’s Community Colleges. The colleges are part of the commonwealth’s VERITAS (Veteran Education Resource Initiative for Transition, Advising and Success) program. Those colleges include: Germanna in Fredericksburg; J. Sargeant Reynolds and John Tyler in the Richmond area; Northern Virginia; Tidewater; Thomas Nelson on the Virginia Peninsula; and Virginia Western in Roanoke.

“These centers are a central hub for all veteran activities on campus. They are a quiet place for students to study; and they enable veterans to connect with each other, helping them renew the bonds of military service,” said DuBois.

At Southside Virginia Community College, veterans can contact Tonia Talbott at (434) 949-1049.