Alison Lands is vice president of employer and workforce solutions at Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit that works to align the education and workforce systems to improve access to quality jobs for over 75 million American workers. Her career spans workforce and economic development, with experience partnering across sectors to shape strategies that drive growth and results. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, higher education institutions, and mission-driven organizations.

VEDP Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Tamara Fields, national U.S. public service industry lead at Accenture, about new and traditional methods of upskilling, AI and its effect on the workforce, and the way companies can invest in their employees. 

Together, VEDP and its partners will take a multifaceted approach to address the many dimensions of Virginia’s talent pool and pipeline. Virginia’s plan to become the Top State for Talent includes three core talent strategies: attract and retain talent, promote alignment between education and employment, and reduce barriers to employment.

Demographic shifts make talent attraction and retention a key priority for states, regions, localities.

Project is expected to be the largest capital investment in the history of the Hampton Roads region