Helping Central Virginia's residents obtain living wage jobs is the primary focus of the Virginia’s Region 2000 Workforce Development program. With the responsibility of coordinating Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, Virginia’s Region 2000 Workforce Development Board is taking an innovative approach starting July 1 with a new operational structure and new program operators.
New Adult Service Provider and One Stop System Operator
The Workforce Development Board is partnering with HumanKind to lead the WIOA Title I Adult worker program and serve as the One Stop Operator. Using the Bridges Out of Poverty framework and similar initiatives, HumanKind will help under-resourced job seekers or those with barriers to employment with life and career development skills. Working in partnership with the Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Adult Education of Central Virginia, Old Dominion Job Corp, Central Virginia Community College, local departments of Social Services and other education or community stakeholders throughout the region, HumanKind staff will coordinate resources to prepare individuals for living wage careers within the region. HumanKind will be responsible for outreach throughout the region to ensure that career resources available in the comprehensive One Stop Center are available through libraries, adult education sites and other access points in every locality.
New Dislocated Worker Operator
The Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) staff will begin operating the WIOA Title I dislocated worker program and provide oversight for Virginia’s Region 2000 comprehensive One Stop Center at 3125 Odd Fellows Rd, Lynchburg. The VEC will continue operating all WIOA programs it has operated previously in addition to the Dislocated Worker Program. At this One Stop location, job seekers can get information and assistance from a variety of sources and connect with all WIOA partner organizations.
Youth Services
Beginning in July, Virginia’s Region 2000 Workforce Development Board will provide Youth training and career development services directly in partnership with local schools, social services departments, adult education providers and other community partners. Based at the Jubilee Center on Florida Avenue, but working out of community centers, libraries and public spaces in each of the surrounding counties, Youth staff will work with under-resourced youth and young adults between the ages of 14-24 helping them secure training, apprenticeships and the soft skills necessary for career success. The Workforce Board is recruiting for a Coordinator of Youth Talent Development and three Youth Career Navigators to run this program.
Communications with the Business Community
A new Communications Coordinator is being recruited to better connect the available services of the Workforce program with the business community and workforce partners. The Communications Coordinator will work directly with the business community and support the Region 2000 Talent Solutions Team to better match the types of training being offered to the current needs of the Region 2000 business community.
For more information
Contact Ben Bowman at 434 845-5678 x 221, bbowman@region2000.org.
