About SVHEC

Our Vision

Educational Victories = Economic Strength

Our Mission

To advance southern Virginia’s economic potential through education, innovation, and collaboration

The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) provides the facilities, resources and staff that help people access a wide variety of educational opportunities, connect employers to southern Virginia’s talent and strengthen our local community.

Our Story

For almost 40 years, the SVHEC has been helping people in southern Virginia transform their lives by harnessing the power of education – on their own terms. We began operations in 1986 out of a modest 500 square-foot mobile unit on the grounds of the local high school. Since that time, we’ve become a state agency, and now operate out of three repurposed tobacco warehouses donated by local benefactors and renovated with community bonds, private donations, historic tax credits and various state and federal grants. To accommodate the growth of our job training programs, in 2019 we expanded into the nearby commercial space of a renovated textile factory.

Today, the SVHEC is an epicenter of education and job training in southern Virginia. Our campus features 120,000 square feet of technically sophisticated space including high-tech classrooms and labs featuring simulation technology focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Healthcare (STEM-H).

Through a unique partnership with community colleges and state universities, we are able to provide convenient, affordable access to college degree programs and job training opportunities right here in Halifax County, VA. We also provide short-term, hands-on credential-based training in information technology, mechatronics (automation technician), welding, and HVAC to help you go from “zero to career” in less than a year.

The SVHEC also seeks to help both new and existing businesses and industries remain productive and profitable. We offer employers the opportunity to partner on customized, innovative training solutions that support their evolving workforce needs. We pride ourselves on “listening to the voice of the employer” to ensure employers receive the training they want on a schedule that works for them.

To make these opportunities as accessible as possible, financial aid and financial assistance for programs and training opportunities are available. We also offer day and evening classes for scheduling flexibility.

Your opportunity lives here – today and in the future. Through the SVHEC, you can advance your career and education, regardless of your age or stage of life.

• Get started on your educational journey
• Seek short-term training and credentials to get you into the workforce
• Gain new skills to advance your career
• Make a career change
• Pursue a 2-or 4-year degree
• Complete that unfinished master’s or doctoral degree

If you’re ready to start or continue your educational journey, we have helpful, compassionate people waiting to help. Take the next step – contact us.