Our Workforce Preparation aspiration is to better align workforce skills to employer needs.
Why is this Important?
Workforce preparation and career readiness are important links between our future workforce and employers. Paired with a strong educational foundation, the adequacy of workforce training programs to develop our talent pipeline, and the variety of employment opportunities contribute to the region’s economic vitality.
How are we Moving the Needle?
Our Workforce Preparation Action Team is working to better align efforts in the region to:
- Bring together workforce development providers and employers to coordinate offerings and match employer needs to training / educational opportunities and workforce skills
- Prepare our high school graduates for the workforce by creating pathways to careers and professions
- Develop high quality technical and magnet schools
Focus on Opportunity Youth
Opportunity Youth are young adults aged 16-24 years who are neither going to school nor working. These young adults are described as opportunity youth because of the potential value they could add to their communities if they reconnect to education and employment opportunities.
Mission Tomorrow
Career awareness and job readiness start long before graduation. The Capital Region Collaborative is proud to partner on Mission Tomorrow, our region’s interactive career exploration event for 8th grade students. This event happens annually in October. Over 12,000 students participate in activities and discussions with over 100 employers. Learn more here and see pictures here.
Workforce Preparation Action Team Members
| Auchmoody, Bill | Partnership Staffing |
| Callahan, Monica | ChamberRVA |
| Creamer, Elizabeth | CCWA |
| Davis, Brian | Richmond Region WIB |
| Doughtery, John | Goodwill |
| Easter, John | ChamberRVA |
| Fiege, Bill | John Tyler Community College |
| Giovannitti, Jen | Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond |
| Hall, Ashley | Capital Region Collaborative |
| Harris, Drexel | Dominion Resources |
| Humphrey, Dan | Points of Life, Communities At Work |
| Jacocks, Barbara | Richmond Regional Planning |
| Vanessa, Rastberger | Virginia Manufacturers |
| Leistra, Shannon | Altria |
| Roots, Evette | City of Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building |
| Schultz, Rich | Smart Beginnings RVA |
| Smith, Jason | Bridging Richmond |
| Washko, Mary | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College |
| Weber, Bill | Communities At Work |