Tim Saunders, Deputy Director of the Central Virginia Workforce Development Board, presents Jeff Betterton, President of BMS Direct, with a reimbursement check from the Existing Worker Training program.
When employers in the Lynchburg region invest in training for their workforce, they turn to a program of the Central Virginia Planning District Commission to help offset their costs.
The Central Virginia Workforce Development Board, housed under the CVPDC, offers an Existing Worker Training program that helps businesses cover the cost of training current employees.
One company that has taken advantage of the program this year is BMS Direct, a family-owned company based in Lynchburg that provides print, mail, and data services. BMS Direct recently purchased new equipment that required its employees to learn new skills. The company also invested in leadership development training for a separate cohort of workers. In total, BMS Direct has received more than $5,500 to offset the cost of those trainings since July 1, 2025.
Existing Worker Training funds are designed for situations where a business needs to adapt to new technology or equipment, shifting market conditions, supply chain disruptions, changes in ownership/management, or skills gaps that could otherwise lead to layoffs. Reimbursable training costs can include tuition or instructional costs, certification exam preparation, online training, textbooks/manuals, and certification/licensing fees (with receipts or documentation).
The Central Virginia Workforce Development Board’s Existing Worker Training program is funded by the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Eligible employers who upskill one or more employees on their payroll can apply for consideration. To request an application, contact Traci Blido, Executive Director of the Central Virginia Workforce Development Board, at traci.blido@vcwcentral.com.
