What happens when a university research center and a workforce board team up for over a decade? This episode shares lessons from a long-standing partnership that has turned labor market data into strategic advantage. You’ll learn how collaboration led to skills gap studies, sector-based lattices, and region-specific tools that have supported economic development at every level.
In this episode, you’ll hear how a powerful reentry initiative is transforming lives by preparing incarcerated individuals for meaningful employment before their release. Discover how collaborative efforts across regional, state, and federal partners are breaking down barriers to reintegration and creating real opportunities for second chance employment. You'll learn how job training, personal development, and support services work together to reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and boost co...
In this episode, we revisit the powerful impact of the YouthBuild program, a community-based initiative designed to help young adults ages 16 to 24 earn their high school diploma or GED, gain job training, and develop leadership skills. Listeners will learn how YouthBuild empowers youth to build strong foundations for their futures through education, work-based learning, and essential supportive services. We also explore the program's growth and its successful partnerships with local organizatio...
Discover the comprehensive journey of creating a three-year strategic plan for regional workforce development. This episode explores how input from diverse stakeholders shapes a document that serves as both a federal requirement and an actionable roadmap. Learn about key strategic priorities including diversifying funding sources, developing talent solutions through industry partnerships, serving at-risk populations, and expanding work-based learning opportunities.
This episode explores the critical need for healthcare workers in Southwest Virginia and efforts to address workforce shortages in the region. You'll hear about a public health professionals program aimed at recruiting and training individuals for various healthcare roles beyond physicians, including nurses, community health workers, peer recovery specialists, and more. The discussion covers the challenges faced by rural healthcare systems and the importance of providing comprehensive support, i...
In this episode we welcome Lindsey Gleason, Assistant Director of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, to discuss the upcoming GiveLocalNRV initiative. Lindsey explains how the Community Foundation collaborates with donors to support more than 150 local organizations through grants and scholarships, and how GiveLocalNRV offers an online platform for nonprofits to raise funds and connect with the community. You'll also hear about the newly established New River Mount Rogers Workforce...
In this episode, you'll learn about a grant project aimed at bridging the skilled trades gap in the region. You'll also hear about the board's initiatives to develop sector partnerships and strategies in construction, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. The episode explores how these partnerships will help identify industry needs, develop targeted training programs, and support disadvantaged populations in accessing skilled employment opportunities. Tune in to discover how this impactful p...
The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board is transforming lives through impactful programs and partnerships. In this episode, you'll hear uplifting stories of second chances from former inmates gaining employment after reentering society, a woman rebuilding her life in recovery from substance abuse, nursing students graduating with support through workforce grants, and a manufacturing business benefiting from workforce training initiatives. These stories of reentry, recovery and acc...
This podcast features a discussion with the executive directors of two regional economic development organizations about their efforts to promote business growth, job creation, and talent development across southwest Virginia. They provide updates on the priorities and activities of their organizations, including workforce pipeline development, talent retention programs, business attraction and expansion efforts, and strategic marketing of the region. Discover the importance of collaboration bet...
In this episode, you'll learn about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and some of its programs serving adults, dislocated workers, and youth. Get ready to discover how WIOA, a reauthorization of the 2014 Workforce Investment Act, is designed to strengthen our nation's public workforce system and empower adults, youth, and those facing employment barriers, to access high-quality careers.
In this episode, you'll hear an update about grants awarded to the New River/Mt. Rogers Workforce Development Board. Join us as we delve into the various programs and the efforts underway to build a skilled and confident labor force, especially for those individuals who face barriers to employment. You'll also hear about how work-based learning opportunities and certifications in healthcare, manufacturing, and construction are helping transform lives, and three new grants awarded from the Common...
In this episode, you'll hear about an initiative that provides rural labor market and employee training. Discover the range of topics covered in the workshops and trainings and the potential outcomes for participating businesses. Discover how the SHOW workshop provides employees with tools that can be used to improve their functionality and productivity at work.
This episode was recorded live at the 2023 NAWB Forum as Marty Holliday shares her reflections on some of the things she learned while attending the Forum and also talks about her presentation on the return on investment of workforce development services for businesses.
Access to quality childcare is an important part of developing a talent pipeline and meeting workforce needs. In this episode, you'll hear about the efforts underway to increase the operational capacity and quality of childcare providers and to add 100 early childhood teachers to the region.
In this episode, you'll hear from Marty Holliday, Executive Director of the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area, and Deputy Director Jenny Bolte, as they provide an overview of some of the new regional funding for 2023 and the innovative services that the funding will provide.
In this episode, the conversation continues about how the regional workforce system is helping to meet recruitment and retention needs. You'll hear from 2 employers, one from the New River Valley Regional Jail, and the other from Parkdale Mills, as they discuss available jobs and careers in their organizations. They also share their recruitment and retention strategies, as well as the benefits that they offer their employees.
As the worker shortage persists in the region, this episode continues the conversation about the initiatives and strategies underway to help businesses with their recruitment and retention needs. Discover the importance of vetting candidates and assessing fair and equitable compensation. You'll also hear about how analyzing exit data can help companies improve their business practices and culture.
In this episode, you'll hear about the production technician career pathway, funded by a YouthBuild grant. Discover details about the development of the production technician program and hear from a YouthBuild participant about why he chose this program and the benefits he has received so far from participating.
In this episode, you'll hear from area employers as they reveal their strategies for recruiting and retaining talent. Discover career opportunities in manufacturing and healthcare and innovative recruitment and retention practices.
In this episode, you'll hear details about the Youth Career Exploration Camp, which provides youth with an opportunity to explore high-wage, high-demand careers in the region. You'll also hear directly from participants about what they have enjoyed most about the program.
This special episode was recorded live at the 2022 NAWB Forum as Marty Holliday, Executive Director at New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area, shares her thoughts about the future of workforce development and reveals her takeaways from speaking with other workforce leaders from around the country.
In this episode, you'll hear about the efforts underway to support second chance employment. Even in the best of times, it is difficult for individuals with criminal records to access employment, and yet employment is a crucial part of helping people in recovery and justice-involved individuals to rebuild their lives. You'll also hear about why employers should tap into this valuable and often untapped labor pool.
In this episode the conversation continues about the POWER Initiative (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) and particularly peer recovery specialists. Discover the criteria for becoming a peer recovery specialist as well as the application and training process.
In this episode, you'll hear about the efforts that are underway in the region to attract and retain talent in the skilled trades. Phil Callicott , Founder of the The Trades Training Initiative, discusses the vision that his organization has for developing in the construction industry and how the Trades Training Initiative is bringing together local businesses, nonprofits, and workers to address critical skills gaps.
In this episode, you'll hear about the STRONG Accountable Care Community (STRONG ACC). Discover the history of the organization, and how the STRONG ACC is helping to break down barriers, improve inter-agency coordination of services, better address social determinants of health, and improve health and wellbeing for individuals, families, and communities.
This episode takes a deeper dive into The Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER program, particularly those elements that support recovery for individuals and families impacted by substance abuse. Discover the efforts being made to create a recovery ecosystem, and the importance of combining the efforts of multiple organizations.
In June of 2021, the US Department of Labor announced the award of 89 million dollars in grants in 31 states and Puerto Rico to help youth ages 16 to 24, who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor market. YouthBuild grants support a pre-apprenticeship model to help these youth learn valuable occupational skills. In this episode, you'll hear from 2 organizations in Virginia that received YouthBuild grant funding, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and the New River/Mount Ro...
In this episode, you'll hear from 2 regional economic development leaders about how they work with the Virginia Economic Development and the efforts that are underway to support and grow targeted industries. Discover the importance of placemaking and infrastructure improvements in attracting and retaining businesses and talent to the region.
In this episode, you'll learn about Strengthening Our System, Inc. (SOS) and the services that they provide for individuals with disabilities and individuals with mental health concerns. Discover the history of the organization, the job opportunities that are available, and the necessary requirements to get started in this field.
In this episode, you'll discover the story of Blue Ridge Designs, a Carroll County-based screen-printed apparel manufacturer. Discover the job opportunities available with Blue Ridge Designs, and the application and hiring process.
