Commonwealth takes top spot in state rankings report for Customized Workforce Training

The Commonwealth is ranked No. 1 for Customized Workforce Training in the 19^th annual Business Facilities State Rankings Report.

In 2022 and 2021, the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program was No. 2.

Business Facilities is a national publication that has been the leading location source for corporate site selectors and economic development professionals for more than 50 years.

“Virginia takes the lead this year, based on continued notable successes to attract and retain business. The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program launched in 2019 has made huge strides in four years,” Business Facilities Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove said.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the Commonwealth’s workforce is a priority to drive economic development, and the VTAP enhances Virginia’s competitiveness.

“We are proud to be ranked No.1 in the country for Customized Workforce Training, and I commend the team that has made this program a tremendous success,” Youngkin said.

The program is an initiative created by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners. Funding is provided by Governor’s administration and the Virginia General Assembly. New facility start-ups are accelerated through the direct delivery of recruitment and training services that are fully customized to a company’s unique products, processes, equipment, standards and culture. Program services are provided at no cost to qualified new and expanding companies as an incentive for job creation. More than 11,000 jobs have been created by the program, including for projects at the LEGO Group, Rocket Lab, Tyson Foods, Civica Inc., Morgan Olson, Thermo Fisher Scientific, GSK and Modine Manufacturing Company.

“The Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is critical to ensuring that Virginia can offer the workforce to meet the needs of companies in every region of the Commonwealth, and this ranking by Business Facilities sends a clear message: Virginia leads the nation in its ability to attract and train the talent that is vital to the success of any new operation,” VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi said. “At its launch, we set out to be the No. 1 customized workforce solutions program in the country within four years, and I am proud of the Virginia Talent Accelerator team’s tireless efforts to achieve this goal. We are only getting started, and look forward to expanding the Program’s impact in the years ahead.”

Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick that the Commonwealth must offer talent to attract and retain businesses in various industries and regions if Virginia is to be best-in-class.

“This recognition as the No.1 state for Customized Workforce Training in the country reinforces that the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program is setting the Commonwealth apart from its competitors for comprehensive talent recruitment and training solutions,” Merrick said.