When it comes to G3, programs are based on the needs in local communities. That’s why the G3-eligible programs offered in your area may be different from other areas of the state.
If there is a particular industry or trade you are interested in, it’s worth doing some research on which regions have the most need for workers in that trade and the G3-eligible programs offered through Virginia’s Community Colleges that will prepare you to enter those fields.
If you live in one of these regions of Virginia, here are some high-demand careers you can pursue through G3.
NOVA
Given that the region is so densely populated and just south of Washington D.C., Northern Virginia is a hub for Information Technology and healthcare careers. As Northern Virginia’s population continues to grow, the need for healthcare workers is becoming more pressing.
The IT industry is also booming in Northern Virginia. According to the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Northern Virginia is home to 8,900 tech companies and plans on adding more than 130,000 tech jobs in the next five years, with no sign of slowing down. If you’ve considered a career in healthcare or IT, the Northern Virginia region has seats for you to fill.
Central Virginia
Central Virginia’s job opportunities for manufacturing and construction are consistently growing. The city of Richmond is home to over 450 companies in the advanced manufacturing industry sector. In Richmond and Charlottesville, the Virginia Employment Commission found that there was a combined total of 1,000 jobs for these trades created from April 2022 to May 2022 alone.
Tidewater
Are you interested in working by the ocean? Over the next several years, the Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem estimates that employers in the Tidewater region will need about 8,000 more people ready to take skilled jobs in the maritime industry. To help increase job training, Tidewater Community College’s maritime trades programs received a $100,000 grant in 2021 from the state’s GO Virginia economic development initiative, which will allow them to accommodate an additional 40 students per year.
Southern
According to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, over one hundred automotive projects have been announced in Virginia, representing over 8,500 jobs. Virginia’s central location provides important advantages for automotive companies, so jobs in this industry can be found all over the state. But as more automotive companies move into the southern region such as Morgan Olson, North America’s leading manufacturer of all-aluminum walk-in step vans, you may find that your dream automotive career isn’t far from reach.
