The Virginia craft beer market is growing because, hey, craft beer is growing every where, duh — but also because the state has made it a priority. Over the last 12 months, Virginia saw 1,797 job postings dealing with craft beer and brewing. In order to help serve this growth segment, starting this month, Virginia Commonwealth University is offering a new Craft Beer Certificate Program.
Smartly, the program will have two tracks: The Business of Craft Beer and the Craft Brewer Certificate (in which students must also take chemistry and biology).
From CBS 6 in Richmond:
“It’s going to be very engaging, and we’re hoping to have each one of the sessions be held at a local partner craft brewery,” Liz Fillman, who is overseeing the new Craft Beer Certificate Program, said. “It will incorporate some tasting, as well as the history of craft beer, information on each style and type of craft beer, local history, as well as tours of the breweries.”
“Our internal partners including chemical engineering and biology, and multiple local craft breweries will ensure a comprehensive and market driven program addressing craft beer workforce development needs,” Michael C. Huffman, Ph.D., director of the Office of Continuing and Professional Education, said.
Local breweries Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing, Center of the Universe Brewing Co., Ballast Point Brewing Co. and Ardent Craft Ales will be lending their expertise to the program. Not too shabby.
I heartily applaud this development, as it will provide a more knowledgeable employment pool for the craft beer industry. Here in MA, a similar program is in its first semester at Springfield Technical Community College. Students have their “lab” time at nearby craft breweries. I’m not sure that there is a “business of craft brewing” component to the program, but I can certainly see it being implemented as an expansion of the program.
Cheers!