Congratulations to Quality Stone Concepts of Virginia Beach – winner of the 2018 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Small Business! In the Virginia Beach community, students with a desire to learn building trades and, ultimately, find good quality jobs have some rock solid allies. For nearly a decade, Quality Stone Concepts’ (QSC) owners and employees have volunteered with the Virginia Beach Education Foundation where they mentor students enrolled in construction courses at the Virginia Beach Technical & Career Education Center (TCE). Every two years, a new single-family home is completed by TCE students and the success of the project—The House Students Built—depends on the assistance of industry experts.
The passion and dedication of QSC’s employees to this on-the-job training is personal, as they understand the need for skilled laborers in the construction industry. QSC’s certified contractors mentor plumbing, carpentry, and electrical students. Construction trade students in the program complete industry certifications, making them highly qualified for employment after high school graduation. This year, teachers estimate that more than 20,000 students will benefit from these creative learning and job-development opportunities. In addition to the mentorship, QSC donates the materials, design, fabrication and installation of $15,000-$20,000 worth of granite counter tops and cabinets for each house project Quality Stone Concept’s generosity in mentoring students and providing financial support is making a real lasting difference in the lives of both the students and the teachers in Virginia Beach. For this small business, their investment of time and resources will ultimately create a stronger community!