Danville Community College (DCC) and the Danville Sheriff’s Office have officially partnered to expand workforce development opportunities through a newly signed apprenticeship agreement, creating new pathways for careers in public safety.
The agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony held on DCC’s campus on April 28, 2026. Sheriff Mike Mondul attended the event to sign the agreement, reinforcing the Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to workforce development and community partnership.
As part of this milestone, the Danville Sheriff’s Office also signed its first registered apprentice, Corporal Shannon Brooks, Master Deputy, marking the official launch of the program.
“This partnership represents the power of collaboration in action,” said Dr. Cornelius Johnson, President of DCC. “By working alongside the Danville Sheriff’s Office, we are creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to pursue careers in public service while building a stronger, more prepared workforce for our region. Apprenticeships like this are essential to ensuring that our community continues to grow and thrive.”
This initiative is part of DCC’s Knight’s Apprenticeship Program, which brings together a growing network of industry partners who establish apprenticeship agreements with the College to develop skilled talent pipelines.
“We are excited to partner with DCC and their Knights Apprenticeship Program,” said Sheriff Mondul. “We view it as a win-win-win for the Danville Sheriff’s Office, DCC, and our entire community.”
Through this program, employers collaborate with DCC to provide structured, on-the-job training paired with related technical instruction, allowing participants to earn while they learn while gaining valuable, real-world experience.
“This agreement reflects exactly what workforce development should look like: responsive, collaborative, and aligned with the needs of our local employers,” said Jessica Dalton, Vice President of Workforce Services. “Through the Knight’s Apprenticeship Program, we are able to connect individuals directly to high-demand careers while supporting our partners in developing the skilled workforce they need to succeed.”
Danville Community College has also achieved intermediary status with the Commonwealth of Virginia through Virginia Works, allowing the College to serve as a facilitator between employers and apprenticeship opportunities across the region.
In this role, DCC supports employers in developing, registering, and managing apprenticeship programs, streamlining the process and removing barriers to participation. This designation strengthens the College’s ability to expand its Knight’s Apprenticeship Program, connecting more students to hands-on training opportunities while helping employers build and sustain a skilled workforce.
“The signing of the Danville Sheriff’s Office as a Registered Apprenticeship sponsor on Monday, the first day of National Apprenticeship Week, highlights a shared commitment to creating career pathways and strengthening the local workforce,” said Karen Rhodes, Registered Apprenticeship Consultant for Virginia Works. “It marks a vital partnership between the Danville Sheriff’s Office, Danville Community College, the apprentice, and VA Works-Registered Apprenticeship to develop top-tier law enforcement professionals for the Danville community and beyond.”