Virginia’s Workforce Development Programs
In 2014, the General Assembly directed JLARC to assess how effectively Virginia’s workforce development programs meet the needs of employers and to examine the transparency of information on program expenditures and outcomes. Interest in this topic was prompted by perceptions that state and local workforce development efforts are not adequately coordinated and do not provide sufficient opportunities for job seekers to obtain the skills, credentials, and education desired by employers.
The report found that:
- Employers have difficulty filling job openings and navigating workforce development programs
- Some programs for teaching in-demand skills do not reflect state labor market
- Programs aimed at developing work experience are not fully utilized
- Employer engagement efforts are uneven across regions
- Lack of coordination and inconsistent participation by key local agencies undermines quality of workforce development efforts
Apart from the study, workforce and talent development has been identified as a key focus area in each GO Virginia region. This report provides some suggestions on how some workforce and credentialing issues could be improved.
