Workforce Development Programs
One of the biggest issues facing employers is finding and developing a qualified workforce. Whether your operation is manufacturing, retail or office oriented, a number of resources are available within the Roanoke Valley to assist your organization in recruiting and training the best talent for your needs.
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)
The VEC serves a wide variety of businesses and industries, assisting employers to find qualified workers by referring workers to fill jobs listed with the VEC, making it easy for companies to list openings, providing prompt referrals, offering access to thousands of applicants, and conducting mass recruitment efforts to help fill a large number of job vacancies through the VEC Employer Advisory Committee. Additional assistance includes alien labor certification, bonding, federal contractor job listing, labor market information, worker’s profiling, and a reemployment service. Contact the Virginia Employment Commission at (540) 204-9660 to learn more about how VEC can help you.
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
DARS offers employers access to knowledgeable, skilled and productive employees at no cost to help meet their specific labor needs. Other services available are training employees, work force recruitment, accommodating employees, educational programs, and resources. For more information about the Department for Aging and Rehabilitated Services, please call (540) 776-2715.
Virginia Western Community College (VWCC)
Virginia Western Community College works with business, industry, and government to provide seminars, professional development courses, and customized training programs to meet the business needs of the community. Programs are designed to provide short- or long-term training to upgrade skills in relation to advances in technical fields and increasing professional capabilities. For more information, contact VWCC Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning at (540) 857-6076.
Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP)
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) provides services and funding to companies creating new jobs or experiencing technological change. As a business development incentive supporting economic development since 1965, VJIP reduces the human resource development costs of new and expanding companies. With strong support from the Governor and General Assembly, VJIP is completely state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for its citizens. Contact the Virginia Economic Development Partnership at (804) 545-5706 for more information.
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
Goodwill Work and Training Services assist youth, adults, and older workers in overcoming barriers to employment and achieving a level of independence to participate more fully in life. Goodwill also works closely with the business community to connect job seekers with vacancies, provides job fairs, and offers specialized training programs based on the needs of the business. For more information on Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, please call (540) 581-0620, Option 6.
Western Virginia Workforce Development Board – Virginia Career Works Blue Ridge Region
The Western Virginia Workforce Development Board serves as a conduit for matching individuals seeking employment with businesses needing workers. The Board oversees the region’s one-stop system of workforce centers, which provide a variety of services to businesses and individuals including job matching, career counseling and educational training resources. The Board also develops and implements a comprehensive regional workforce development strategy to meet the needs of new and existing employees, determines the needs for and assists in the development of appropriate employment training, works with economic development professionals in recruiting new business and retaining existing employers by providing current data on the state of the local workforce and the employee pipeline, and advises local officials on trends and events affecting the workforce system. For more information on the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board, please call (540) 562-8442