Some exciting announcements have been made this summer that will impact Virginia’s workforce today – and for years to come. Because these changes could have big implications for the Commonwealth’s most in-demand industries, it’s important for current G3 students, or individuals considering enrolling in the future, to have them on their radar.
Here are some current headlines you should know about:
Virginia Ranked #1 in the U.S. for Customized Workforce Training
Governor Youngkin announced last month that Virginia has been ranked as the number one state in the U.S. for customized workforce training in the annual Business Facilities State Rankings Report, specifically for the accomplishments of the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program.
The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is a workforce initiative created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners, with funding support from the Governor’s administration and the General Assembly.
The program has helped to secure over 11,000 jobs across Virginia, including with employers like LEGO Group, Rocket Lab, Tyson Foods, Civica Inc., Morgan Olson, Thermo Fisher Scientific, GSK and Modine Manufacturing Company.
Virginia Receives $1.4 Billion for Broadband in Virginia
Virginia is one of the 19 states to receive funding from President Biden’s plan to expand internet access to communities with no or slow service.
This large investment will deploy broadband and expand access to high-speed internet to more rural areas of the Commonwealth and will help bring Virginia policymakers closer to achieving their goal of universal broadband coverage in the state.
Access to affordable, high-speed internet will lead to more opportunities for remote education and jobs, ensuring Virginia’s rural areas grow and thrive. This is exciting news because individuals in these regions can now access training and education online – AND, this also means these regions will need workers to install the technology, which means local work and job opportunities.
Grant Awarded to Virginia to Improve Delivery of Workforce Services
The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of almost $3 million to help fund examinations of the outcomes and effectiveness of state education and workforce programs in Virginia. This federal grant will support the Commonwealth’s collection and analysis of data to gain a comprehensive view of how jobseekers obtain employment through workforce education and training programs.
Funds will also enable states to identify labor market changes and improve employment opportunities, especially for people from underserved and underrepresented populations.
This grant will help Virginia enhance the capacity of workforce development programs and improve the quality and range of workforce data to benefit jobseekers, workers and employers.
