workforce & talent
Workforce & talent to support business growth
Virginia provides companies with access to a large, skilled, and diverse workforce supported and developed by leading universities, community colleges, and customized training programs. Businesses operating in the Commonwealth benefit from talent solutions that accelerate hiring, support training, and strengthen long‑term workforce pipelines.
Volkswagen Group of America, Fairfax County
Talent that
takes it further
VEDP provides award-winning programs that help companies identify, attract, and retain the talent they need. From custom training solutions to unique cost-savings programs, companies can build talent pipelines into the future. With access to a deep talent pool, Virginia stands apart in delivering on companies’ talent needs.
Merck & Co., Rockingham County
A workforce that works for you
A workforce that works for you
Virginia’s workforce strength is supported by diverse talent, targeted training, and innovative programs that help companies scale, adapt, and plan for future needs. From highly educated professionals to skilled technical workers, the Commonwealth offers the depth and flexibility businesses need to grow.
4.5M
total workforce
Source: LAUS 2025 annual average
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
No. 1
concentration of tech workers in the U.S.
No. 1
customized workforce training program in U.S.
Alarm.com, Fairfax County
A connected talent ecosystem
Virginia’s talent advantage extends beyond workforce size. Universities, community colleges, and industry partners work together to prepare talent for today’s jobs and tomorrow’s needs.
Major four-year colleges & universities
Community colleges
Higher education centers
A deep pipeline of veteran talent
Virginia is home to one of the nation’s largest and most educated veteran workforces, offering leadership, technical skills, and mission‑driven experience to employers across the state.
Cape Henry Associates, Hampton Roads
servicemembers exit the military each year to live in Virginia
Source: Veteran’s Administration; ACS 2023
veterans under the age of 45 call Virginia home
Source: Veteran’s Administration; ACS 2023
Joint Base Langley-Eustisof Virginia’s veterans have a
bachelor’s degree or higher
Source: Veteran’s Administration; ACS 2023
VEDP helps build, train, and scale your workforce
At every stage of growth, companies need strategic talent support. VEDP offers programs and services that help recruit, train, and retain skilled workers aligned with business needs.
Weidmüller Group, Chesterfield County
Providing custom recruiting & training
Providing custom recruiting & training
Programs designed around your processes, equipment, and standards — delivered at no cost to qualifying companies.
Carry-On Trailer, Westmoreland County
Offsetting hiring & training costs
Offsetting hiring & training costs
Financial support to reduce costs for new or expanding operations, helping companies build skills, retrain workers, and grow with confidence.
University of Virginia
Mapping talent with the Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE)
Mapping talent with the Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE)
Data-driven workforce insights on talent supply, skills demand, and labor trends that align education and training with employer needs.
Virginia Commonwealth University intern, HII
Creating meaningful internship opportunities
Creating meaningful internship opportunities
Work-based learning that builds future talent by connecting students with productive, hands-on learning opportunities.
Building future
workforce pipelines
Virginia helps companies build long‑term talent pipelines through paid internships and work‑based learning programs. Employers gain access to student talent, supported by guidance, tools, and funding that improve retention, reduce hiring costs, and convert early-career talent into long-term employees.
CACI International Inc., Fairfax County
Many places.
One Virginia.
On the move
VEDP Partners with Handshake to Attract and Build Future Workforce
Job marketplace platform collaborates with Virginia to prepare students and graduates for careers
Your workforce partners
Success Stories
Why companies
succeed in Virginia
We have the ability to bring diverse talent from all over the globe into our headquarters, which is critical for our success.
“The Shenandoah Valley has been an excellent place for Hershey to do business and be a part of the community for nearly 40 years now. We are proud to continue to invest and grow in an area that gives our employees a great place to live and work.”
We have found in Virginia an amazing team that moves at incredible speed to build a better future for this Commonwealth and the American people.
Data-driven workforce insights
VEDP’s workforce and demographic data help you assess how Virginia’s talent, population trends, and regional strengths align with your business goals.
Yupo Corporation, Chesapeake
Workforce & talent FAQs
Learn how Virginia helps companies recruit, train, and retain the workforce they need to grow.
Eligibility depends on the program, project, job creation plans, wages, training needs, and expected benefit to the Commonwealth. VEDP works with companies to evaluate available workforce programs and identify the best fit for each project.
VEDP helps companies connect with Virginia’s workforce, education, and economic development partners. Depending on the project, support may include recruitment strategy, job posting guidance, hiring event coordination, customized recruiting materials, and access to training resources.
The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program provides customized recruitment and training services for qualified new and expanding companies in the Commonwealth. Provided by VEDP in partnership with the Virginia Community College System, the program can support recruiting, pre-employment training, job-specific training, organizational development, and operational excellence — all at no cost to eligible companies.
The Virginia Jobs Investment Program is a discretionary incentive that helps qualifying companies offset recruitment and training costs tied to new job creation or upskilling. Support can include cash grants, recruitment guidance, training assistance, and connections to state, regional, and local workforce partners.
No. Most eligible companies choose the VEDP talent incentive that best fits their needs: the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program or the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
The Tech Talent Investment Program is Virginia’s more than $1.1 billion investment to expand the state’s tech talent pipeline. Participating institutions are committed to increasing the number of bachelor’s and master’s graduates in Computer Science and related fields by at least 30,000 over 20 years. Collectively, institutions are already exceeding these goals — outpacing targets by nearly 2,500 degrees to date.
Virginia supports long-term talent development through universities, community colleges, career and technical education, veteran talent, internships, and customized workforce programs that help companies find skilled workers today while strengthening future hiring pipelines.
An expert partner dedicated to your success
Beanstalk Farms, Northern Virginia
Virginia's groundbreaking news
Historic Universities, Future-Forward Workforce
Inside Virginia’s Rise to Biopharma Prominence
Caption
Building a Sustainable Pharma Manufacturing Workforce
The Gen Z Talent Conundrum
