Business Assistance

Workforce Services

 

Virginia Department Of Business Assistance:
Currently, Workforce Services offers three programs:

• New Jobs Program
• Small Business New Jobs Program
• Retraining Program

 

If your company's location or expansion does not meet the criteria above, please find information on other workforce development programs available in our Business Resource Center.

Eligibility for assistance in any of the programs offered by Workforce Services is limited to projects that create basic employment for the Commonwealth and only for-profit companies in the following business sectors will qualify:

• Manufacturing
• Distribution Centers
• Corporate HQ’s for Companies with Multiple Facilities
• Call Centers
• Information Technology Services for Businesses

 

The New Jobs Program is a vital part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s economic development efforts. The program targets expansions of existing companies or new facility locations which involve competition with other states or countries. The following criteria apply in order to qualify for assistance under the New Jobs Program:

• Expansions of existing companies or new company locations creating a minimum of 25 net new jobs and a capital investment of at least $1,000,000.
• A minimum entry-level wage rate of $8.00 per hour is required. In areas that have unemployment of two times or more the state level, this wage minimum may be waived. Only full-time jobs are eligible for funding.

 

The Small Business New Jobs Program supports existing Virginia companies which have 250 employees or less companywide. The following criteria apply in order to qualify for assistance under the Small Business New Jobs Program:

• Companies creating a minimum of 5 net new jobs and making at least $100,000 in new capital investment.
• A minimum entry-level wage rate of $8.00 per hour is required. In areas that have unemployment of two times or more the state level, this wage minimum may be waived. Only full-time jobs are eligible for funding.

 

The Retraining Program provides services and funding to companies to assist in training their existing work force. Retraining is upgrading the skills of existing employees identified as essential to the production or distribution of a product. Companies participating in the program are typically those which are undergoing an integration of new technology into its production processes, changing product lines in keeping with marketplace demands, or substantially changing service delivery processes requiring an assimilation of new skills and technological capabilities. To be eligible for the Retraining Program, the following criteria apply:

 

• A minimum of ten (10) full-time employees need to be retrained.
• A new capital investment of at least $500,000 is required as the catalyst for the retraining project.
• Companies may utilize the Retraining Program not more than once every three years.
• A minimum entry-level wage rate of $8.00 per hour is required. In areas that have unemployment of two times or more the state level, this wage minimum may be waived. Only full-time jobs are eligible for funding.

 

Community College Workforce Alliance: (CCWA)
Collaboration between John Tyler Community College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Goal is to be the “one stop” for workforce development in the Richmond-Petersburg MSA. Services include:

• Job Fairs…designed to inform prospective employees about a specific company, which actually meets applicants; collaborative effort among the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), CCWA and the interested business/industry
• Assessments…administer computer- or paper-based assessments for pre-employment applicants or current employees. Work Keys profiles, assessments and training are one of the most popular and effective programs among business and industry
• Training…in support of industry or industry clusters, special certificate and technical degrees programs have been established. Customized pre-employment and plant start-up training are available

 

Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP): Designed to assist military personnel transition from military to civilian; provide international access for employers seeking highly skilled & motivated soldiers; and provides information and resources for commanders and managers of transitioning military personnel.
ACAP Center, 1403 Mahone, Ave., Fort Lee, VA  23801, 804-734-6612, www.acap.army.mil/

 

Rowanty Technical Center
A recent study indicates a great need by local business and industry for graduates of all Rowanty Technical Center programs. This local need also mirrors national statistics. The greatest number of jobs will require technical training beyond high school, but less than a four-year college degree.

 

Rowanty Technical Center provides students the opportunity to begin their careers while they are enrolled in high school. Many courses permit students to receive advanced placement in related post-secondary programs at many of the community colleges or technical training centers in the region. Graduates also have the opportunity to begin working in their chosen career fields earlier and at a greater income than their peers.

Course Selections:

Agriculture
•  Agriculture Mechanization Sales and Service IV
•  Small Engine Repair
•  Horticulture Sciences
•  Landscaping

Auto
•  Automotive Technology I
•  Automotive Technology II
•  Automotive Detail & Servicing I
•  Automotive Detail & Servicing II
•  Automotive Body Repair I
•  Automotive Body Repair II

Cosmetology
•  Cosmetology I
•  Cosmetology II

Health Care
•  Certified Nursing Assistant
•  Practical Nursing (LPN)

Construction
•  Brick Masonry I
•  Brick Masonry II
•  Carpentry I
•  Carpentry II
•  Electricity & Cabling I
•  Electricity & Cabling II
•  HVAC I
   (heating, ventilation & air conditioning/refrigeration)
•  HVAC II
   (heating, ventilation & air conditioning/refrigeration)
•  Welding I
•  Welding II