James Branch's cool job as a mechanic maintaining fire and rescue vehicles for the city of Hopewell, Virginia is so cool, he has no plans to quit working until he cannot work anymore.
At age 50, he completed his GED in six months and secured a job with the city of Petersburg, at first pouring concrete and later in the auto shop.
When Branch wanted to receive his State Inspection License, the closest school to his current home in Sussex County was the John H. Daniel Campus of Southside Virginia Community College that offered night classes.
ATOS Corporation was presented the postsecondary Creating Excellence Business and Industry Partnership Award by the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Community College System this month for their instrumental partnership with SVCC in the creation of Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center's CITE (Center for Information Technology Excellence) lab.
