Workforce Services
Virginia Department of Business Assistance’s Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP) is an economic development incentive supporting the creation of new jobs throughout the Commonwealth. Qualifying businesses are provided customized training and recruiting programs through consulting, delivered services, and funding to reduce the upfront costs of recruiting and training. This 41 year old program continues with strong support from the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly, which demonstrates Virginia’s commitment to economic growth and enhancing job opportunities for its citizens.
Currently, the Virginia Jobs Investment Program offers three programs to both new and existing businesses:
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 the Virginia Jobs Investment Program is limited to projects that create basic employment for the Commonwealth and only for-profit companies in the following business sectors will qualify:
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:
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
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:
Companies meeting the criteria can contact the Workforce Services team at wfs@vdba.virginia.gov or (804) 371-8120 to request a presentation from our staff on the program. A Workforce Services staff member must meet with a company before its application can be processed.
Work Keys is a nationwide workforce development system that benefits citizens, businesses, educators, and policymakers and offers a complete program of job analysis, assessment, instructional support, reporting, and training services.
Work Keys accurately measures both the skills of individuals and the skills required for successful job performance, measuring eight foundational workplace skills to include applied mathematics; applied technology; listening; locating information; observation; reading for information; teamwork; and writing.
The area community colleges have certified Work Keys skills assessment professionals that are available to assist businesses with the program.
Student Apprenticeship programs, designed to help students make the transition from high school or community college to the workplace by starting their career training prior to graduation, are available through a number of local businesses and career and technical training centers.
Employers are able to address their current and projected needs for qualified workers, while playing a major role in preparing the youth of their communities for productive and satisfying careers.
The voluntary Apprenticeship Training program combines structured, on-the-job training with job related classroom instruction at vocational centers and community colleges. Employees receive instruction in both the practical and theoretical aspects of the craft or trade.