Goochland County Connects Local Employer to Job Training Program, Eight Hires Expected

Two workers have already started new jobs at a Goochland County business through a workforce connection brokered last fall by Goochland County Economic Development, which linked the unnamed local employer with Virginia Career Works' On-the-Job Training program. Six additional hires through the same arrangement are expected in the coming months, bringing the program's total expected impact at this single employer to eight positions.

The On-the-Job Training program operates under Virginia Career Works, a workforce services network funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The Capital Region branch of Virginia Career Works covers eight jurisdictions in Greater Richmond, including Goochland County, and offers employers a range of services: labor market information, recruiting and screening, employee development, and consulting. For job seekers, the program provides career services, skills updates, job search support, and specialized resources for veterans and youth.

The Goochland County Economic Development team has positioned itself as a connector between local businesses and multiple workforce pipelines beyond the Virginia Career Works OJT arrangement. Through the Virginia Talent and Opportunity Partnership, Goochland businesses can partner directly with Goochland County Public Schools to offer students job shadowing, internships, externships, and registered apprenticeships under the Virginia Department of Labor, a pipeline that the program describes as a way to address current workforce shortages while building a future full-time workforce. Network2WorkRVA provides another channel, matching skilled job seekers with employers filling specific roles. For businesses targeting recent graduates, the Handshake platform connects employers to job fairs and student applicants at Virginia colleges and universities.

The specific employer, industry, job titles, and compensation details for the eight positions have not been made public by the county. The two workers who recently started and the six expected hires represent the first documented OJT outcome tied to Goochland County Economic Development's outreach to Virginia Career Works. Whether the six anticipated positions have been formally offered or remain projected openings has not been confirmed.

Goochland businesses or job seekers interested in connecting with Virginia Career Works or any of the county's other workforce programs can reach Goochland County Economic Development for referrals.