Virginia Works will:

• Coordinate service delivery that is easily accessible


• Support best-in-class centralized data collection to inform decision-making


• Measure program success with consistent metrics


• Be responsive to the needs of job seekers and employers


• Partner with business and industry on training and curriculum development

Virginia’s nation-leading workforce ecosystem will equip Virginians with the skills they need and enables employers to attract, grow, and retain them ensuring the future of a thriving Commonwealth. In parallel with the stand up of Virginia Works, we will accelerate the coordination, enhancement, and future readiness of the Commonwealth’s many workforce programs and stakeholders across the government and broader ecosystem through a formal process.

A culture of trust, transparency, and creativity.

In 2023, the Virginia General Assembly approved (HB 2195/SB1470) to reorganize the Commonwealth’s workforce development programs. The bill created the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) to serve as administrator and fiscal agent for the Commonwealth's workforce development programs. The bill consolidated statewide workforce program evaluation and data sharing under the Department and provides protections against improper disclosure of data. Virginia Works became fully operational on July 1, 2024. Virginia Works' current role is as an Executive Branch agency whose powers and mandates are set forth in Title 2.2, Chapter 20.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Virginia Works:

Coordinates statewide workforce development programs

Gathers metrics & outcomes data

Engages with businesses and labor directly for alignment of services

Administers and Monitors WIOA Title 1 and Title III Service Delivery

Directly manages federal programs, including:

• Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act – Establishes guidelines and regulations for processing agricultural and seasonal job orders, and for registering farm labor contractors and their employees.


• Trade Act of 1974 – Establishes programs to assist individuals who have become unemployed as a result of increased imports from, or shifts in production to, foreign countries. Program currently under Sunset Provisions.


• Jobs for Veterans Act – Federal legislation that provides guidance on regulations that require priority of service to military veterans by United States Department of Labor-funded workforce programs.


• The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) – Provides for a Federal tax credit, available to employers, for hiring individuals from target groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. WOTC joins other workforce programs that incentivize workplace diversity and facilitate access to good jobs for American workers.

Future Direction, Expectations, and Priorities:

Increasing need for workforce system building and program consolidation and coordination, requires Virginia Works to be responsive to these issues and directives. The key principles in building the workforce system are: flexibility in responding to the labor market needs; streamlined services; empowering customers; universal access; stronger private sector role; and greater state and local accountability.

Services must be streamlined by integrating multiple employment and training programs with partners at the state and local level. Virginia Works continues to work to maintain alignment between available funding and expenses. This includes marketing of lower-cost methods of service delivery such as on-line and phone-based services. Virginia Works also uses opportunities to improve service to customers by reviewing, improving and realigning business processes through a variety of means including technology initiatives to improve customer satisfaction and agency costs.

Current IT State: The agency is in the process of developing our internal information technology team.  In addition, for some case uses, VEC is also supporting as shared services. 

Current Factors Impacting IT: The agency is newly formed and as such we have significant work ahead of us to develop the teams and policies to implement an information technology and security program. The agency will provide a comprehensive set of workforce programs to Virginians and Virginia’s employer community. This is unprecedented within the Commonwealth and will require constant observance and a dedicated team.

Proposed IT Solutions: The agency will stand up its own core website through the use of contracted staff. The agency will also establish a technology hub which will provide a single portal for the agency to provide all workforce services under a single site. This will be accomplished through contracted assistance.

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The Department will be moving into a new leased space for central headquarters in Richmond. The Department also provides services through the Virginia Career Works Centers throughout the Commonwealth. All of these properties are managed/leased through the Department of General Services-Division of Real Estate Services.

As an agency 98% funded by federal grant support, the continued decrease in federal funding for agency programing is a significant risk to customer impact.

Virginia Works is funded by United States Department of Labor administrative grants and funding awarded by the Virginia General Assembly. The agency funding is 98% funded by federal grant support.

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The Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) provides employers and job seekers with access to workforce services that assist in both securing and retaining employment and finding qualified workers to fill jobs.

• As a lead partner in the state workforce system, Virginia Works administers the following workforce programs:  


• Employment Services


• Reemployment Services Orientation program and Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program  Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and Local Veterans Employment Representative programs


• Trade Adjustment Assistance program (currently under Sunset Provisions)  Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program


• Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers and Foreign Labor Certification Program


• Registered Apprenticeship Program

Virginia Works provides job seekers with access to services designed to prepare them for job search, job advancement, and/or career change. Veterans of military service who are seeking employment receive priority of services.

Virginia Works provides Trade Program (currently under Sunset Provisions with no expectation for renewal in the months to come) participants and veterans with career services; and referrals to services of other partner agencies in the One Stop system. Eligible Trade Program participants may receive training to develop in-demand employment skills.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program supports employer-sponsored participants for workforce development and retention programs. It provides nationally recognized and portable Certificates of Completion to apprentices.

Virginia Works conducts outreach to veterans who could benefit from intensive job skills services and markets these services to potential clients.

The Virginia Workforce Connection (VWC) is Virginia Works's online, customer portal. Through the VWC, job seekers and employers enjoy a modern, integrated and efficient experience. Employers have access to one of the state’s largest pools of qualified workers, job seekers and business- related services to support their workforce and economic development needs. Job seekers may register for job seeker services, take self-assessments, and use the virtual recruiter tool to assist them in finding employment opportunities.

For Job Seekers, VWC provides users with access to a comprehensive array of tools, including:

• Targeted and user-specified search of the most current and comprehensive job listings and postings available.  


• Career qualification assessment tools and training referrals.


• Automated, personalized notification of new employment opportunities in real time.

For Employers, VWC provides users with the ability to:

• Post current job openings at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.


• Search an expansive database of qualified candidates and review their active resumes.


• Access the Daily Virtual Recruiter Candidate Resume Notification system, which allows an employer to be notified when new resumes have been created which meet their specific search criteria.

Registered Apprenticeship Program:

• Essential tool to support employer-sponsor participants for workforce development and retention program  


• Provides a Nationally recognized and portable Certificates of Completion to apprentices

The Virginia Workforce Connection is accessible at Virginia Career Works Centers and via the Internet. All other Virginia Works sponsored web accessible information systems are available on the Virginia Works website.

The VWC also provides Labor Market Information (LMI) to a broad spectrum of users. Virginia Works provides a number of strategic business services through LMI. Virginia Works provides LMI as a product that is available to the general public, the Governor and other legislative customers, the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, Local Workforce Development Boards, State Agencies, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), and other governmental entities.

In addition to LMI, the Economic Information & Analytics (EIA) Division of Virginia Works provides a number of products and services such as:  

•  Local Area Unemployment Statistics


• Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages


• Current Employment Statistics


• Occupational Employment Statistics

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18 months from initial design of legislation to agency official "go-live" in July 2024.
All programs engaged in process improvement sprints" 9 programs underway; 3 programs and cross-agency remaining to start (August).
At 81% in Q324, VA exceeded the co-enrollment (Trade programing plus at least one additional Title 1 service) standard of 75% leading to increased re-employment outcomes.

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Through bimonthly Commonwealth-wide Workforce Town Halls and a robust ecosystem "mapping" effort, 70+ programs and agencies have been engaged in statewide collaboration on an ongoing basis along with other interested stakeholders.
Aligning with VEDP on Top State for Talent Goals.

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70+ programs have been engaged in workforce program metrics collection across 6 metrics.
Two cycles of data have been collected so far with 100% response rates from programs engaged.
Data (and collection process) continues to be refined and enhanced.

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Highest number of active state registered apprentices in the last five program years with over 12,500 - 20% increase.
Virginia Works team launched the first Apprenticeship Academy working with local workforce boards in Capital and Crater regions.
Virginia Works & VDOE received a $6M grant to help address the teacher shortage through apprenticeship. Virginia Works has over $2M in funding to
support apprenticeship in early childhood education, clean energy and the care economy.

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In 2024, legislation passed to drive program alignment with high-demand occupations list (from VOEE) with additional legislation that will be proposed this year to continue to enhance this effort and include more programs in alignment effort.
The effort will provide alignment of labor supply and demand conditions, adjustment of priorities, and realignment of program services and resources.

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Virginia Works evaluation of RFP responses underway for "Workforce Technology Hub," envisioned to be a single-entry portal that provides vital services to employers, job seekers, students, and related groups.
The portal will also offer services and training opportunities to increase ecosystem awareness and accessibility of resources.

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Work with partners and intermediaries to pursue employer sponsor engagement. Use the High Demand Occupation list to guide the development of new occupations. Target industry associations as a way to show the value of registered apprenticeships, develop new programs, and register new employer sponsors.

Use Workforce Services Staff to identify potential participants interested and well suited to apprenticeship. Work with partners and intermediaries to identify potential candidates for apprenticeship.

Have RAC consultants work with appropriate Vet staff to identify V3 and Medallion employers and target them as new RA sponsors. Leverage the expertise of our JVSG staff to serve transitioning military and qualified family members who might be good candidates for apprenticeship

Address public sector workforce opportunities that exist throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and local governments.

Registered Apprenticeship Consultants will participate in LWDB Business Solutions Teams. Registered Apprenticeship staff will provide training on RA, and will attend cross training on other workforce services programs to facilitate a “no wrong door approach.”

Virginia Works implements programs and processes that provide assistance to employers who are seeking to hire qualified workers, and to workers who are seeking employment.

• Employment Services (or Job Services), established by the Wagner-Peyser Act, makes available job search assistance to individuals, and recruiting and referral services to employers. Services to employers include screening and referring applicants for job vacancies, and providing vital labor market information for business and economic planning. Employers may participate in local Employer Advisory Committees in order to become aligned closer with Virginia Works and give feedback on the delivery of services.


• Services to workers include job referral and placement, referral to training, and job search skills-building activities. Services are available to anyone eligible to work in the United States.

Virginia Works leverages resources to administer special programs and services for job seekers and employers that provide job placement services for special groups, including:

• Veterans Programs. Through the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) Program and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP), Virginia Works provides case management, placement assistance, and transition services for veterans of military service. Veterans of the U.S. military receive priority of service, in accordance with Federal law and regulations, in all of the job placement services.


• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program. TAA provides assistance to workers and businesses who are impacted by U.S. import/export policies that result in downsizing a workforce or going out of business, including: case management, placement assistance, training, and income support (currently under Sunset Provisions).


• Foreign Labor Certification Program provides services to employers and to agricultural and non-agricultural foreign workers seeking temporary or permanent employment.


• Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program provides services to employers who hire employees and veterans from various target groups with significant barriers to employment.


• Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) provides individualized career services to UI claimants who are deemed likely to exhaust their benefits. This program is funded by UI grants but administered by Virginia Works.


• Provision of services to migrant and seasonal farm workers.

Also included are the administrative and staff resources necessary to support the functions of this service.

The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113-128), the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49) and Section 60.2 - 113 of the Code of Virginia authorize the establishment of and requirements for Virginia Works Job Placement Services. Workforce Services directly aligns with Virginia Works' mission of promoting economic growth and stability in the Commonwealth by providing job placement assistance and services. To accomplish the mission, staff is empowered and given opportunities to develop and enhance their skills, and innovative ways to use technology to enhance the delivery of services to employers and job seekers will be explored.

Virginia Works provides employers and job seekers with access to workforce services that assist in both securing and retaining employment, and finding qualified workers to fill jobs.

Virginia Works provides job seekers with access to services designed to prepare them for job search, job advancement, and/or career change. Veterans of military service who are seeking employment receive priority of services.

Virginia Works provides Trade Program (currently under Sunset Provisions with the expectation for renewal in the months to come) participants and veterans with career services and Unemployment Insurance services; and referrals to services of other partner agencies in the One Stop system. Eligible Trade Program participants may receive training to develop in-demand employment skills.

Virginia Works conducts outreach to veterans for the purpose of locating candidates who could benefit from intensive services and markets these services to potential clients.

The Virginia Workforce Connection (VWC) is Virginia Work's online customer portal. Through the VWC, job seekers and employers enjoy a modern, integrated and efficient experience. Employers have access to the state’s largest pool of qualified workers, job seekers and business-related services to support their workforce and economic development needs. Job seekers may simultaneously apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits and register for jobseeker services, take self-assessments, and utilize the virtual recruiter tool to assist in finding employment opportunities.

For Job Seekers, VWC provides users with access to a comprehensive array of tools, including:

• Targeted and user-specified search of the most current and comprehensive job listings and postings available  Career qualification assessment tools and training referrals


• Automated, personalized notification of new employment opportunities in real time

For Employers, VWC provides users with:

• The ability to post current job openings at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.


• The ability to search an expansive database of qualified candidates and review their active resumes.


• The ability to access the Daily Virtual Recruiter Candidate Resume Notification system, which allows an employer to be notified when new resumes have been created which meet their specific search criteria.

The Virginia Workforce Connection is accessible at Virginia Career Works Centers and via the Internet. All other Virginia Works sponsored web accessible information systems are available on the Virginia Works website.

The VWC also provides Labor Market Information (LMI) to a broad spectrum of users. Virginia Works provides a number of strategic business services through LMI. Virginia Works provides LMI as a product that is available to the general public, the Governor and other legislative customers, the Virginia Board of Workforce Development, Local Workforce Development Boards, state agencies, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), and other governmental entities.

Virginia Works also provides Rapid Response services that promote economic recovery and vitality by developing an ongoing, comprehensive approach to identifying, planning for, responding to layoffs and dislocations, and preventing or minimizing their impacts on workers, businesses, and communities.

This funding supports the administration of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) services that are provided by Virginia Works on behalf of Local Workforce Development Boards.

This service area aligns with Virginia Works' mission to support the development of a highly trained and well-equipped workforce to meet the needs of a changing economy. The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113-128), the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49) and Section 60.2 - 113 of the Code of Virginia authorize the establishment of and requirements for Workforce Development Services. Workforce Development Services directly aligns with the mission of promoting economic growth and stability in the Commonwealth by providing job placement assistance and services.

The funding for this program supports Virginia Works' role as one of the managing partners of the Virginia Career Works Centers. As the managing partner, Virginia Works provides a meaningful role on Local Workforce Development Boards and assist with the management of workforce services operations, in conjunction with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) who oversee One Stop Operators.

Economic Information & Analytics (EIA) is responsible for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data relating to all aspects of the Commonwealth’s labor market. Units within the division provide administrative reporting services, research and analysis services, and management services to the agency and to the public.

The EIA Division is the official source of labor market information, census data, and economic information in Virginia. By providing comprehensive information and related analysis, we serve as a unique and valuable resource to employers, job seekers, economic developers, planners, consultants, economists, and government officials.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is authorized to collect labor market information pursuant to 29 USC 1, an Act to Establish the Bureau of Labor. Section 14 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 USC 49L-1) authorizes the Secretary of Labor to reimburse the states to provide data for national statistical programs. Section 60.2 - 113 of the Code of Virginia provides the state level authorization for the establishment of and the requirements for VEC Economic Information & Analytics. This service area directly aligns with the VEC’s mission to promote economic growth and stability by providing workforce information.

The Current Employment and Wages Statistics (CES) program surveys approximately 9,000 nonagricultural employers each month, collecting data on employment, hours, and earnings. This series offers a current estimate of employment by industry. The CES data series is widely used by businesses, government agencies, universities, trade associations, economists, and researchers to study economic conditions and to develop plans for the future. Researchers use the trends in the CES statistics as economic indicators.

The Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) programs produces estimates of labor force components for Virginia’s cities and counties and combinations, such as labor market areas and metropolitan areas. These estimates are produced monthly by place of residence and provide a snapshot of the total civilian labor force, the number employed, the number unemployed, and the unemployment rate. These estimates are a key indicator of local economic conditions and are used to determine the eligibility of an area of an area for benefits in various federal programs.

The Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) program collects staffing pattern data and wage information by occupation from private and public business establishments. The main purpose of the OES program is to produce employment and wage data for approximately 750 occupations in each of the eleven metropolitan statistical areas and four balance-of-state regions. Another important use of the staffing pattern data produced by the OES program is in the occupational employment projections.

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program is a comprehensive and accurate source of employment and wage data by industry at the state and city/ county levels. It provides a virtual census of nonagricultural employees and their wages. The data is taken directly from the quarterly unemployment tax reports filed by Virginia employers. The QCEW data series has broad economic significance in evaluating labor trends and major industries developments.

The Research and Analysis (R&A) unit conducts economic research, makes analyses, and develops publications, special studies, and press releases, on a variety of economic issues and topics. The unit also provides staff support to executive and legislative commissions, task forces, and study groups.

Virginia participates in the State Data Center (SDC) program, which is a federal-state cooperative initiative, designed to make economic and demographic information from the U.S. Bureau of Census more readily available.

EIA also assists with the Rapid Reemployment program, in conjunction with the Workforce Services Division and WIOA Rapid Response. The program focuses on quicker reemployment of laid off workers by identifying staffing patterns within and across industries to match affected workers with similar companies.

This service area is primarily funded by federal grants and the agency’s Special Unemployment Compensation Administration fund. 

This Service Area oversees Virginia's Registered Apprenticeship Program, implements the mandates and requirements of the Virginia Voluntary Apprenticeship law, and provides staff support for the Virginia Apprenticeship Council, which is the policy board responsible for adopting regulations for this program.

This Service Area directly aligns with the Department's mission by promoting the training of skilled workers to enhance the talent development efforts of the Commonwealth.

Programs include:

WIOA Adult - Provides job search and placement assistance as well as employment plans, counseling, and training and support services.

WIOA Dislocated Worker - Provides employment, training and support services for workers who are losing their jobs as a result of layoff or company closing.

WIOA Youth - Provides intensive services including employment plans, Counseling, training, and support services for youth aged 16-24.

WIOA Rapid Response (Layoff Aversion) - Provides businesses with employee hiring, staff restructuring and training support. Rapid Response is most noticeably front and center to Virginia’s workers when their place of employment is downsizing and a significant number of workers lose their jobs, but the program also helps firms avoid layoffs, especially through upskilling initiatives. Also provides timely and comprehensive Rapid Reemployment services to laid off workers who are the subject of WARN notices. The goal is to place workers in new jobs so that they can transition to new employment opportunities immediately in an effort to reduce the average duration of unemployment insurance compensation they may require.