Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board Area 1

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

TODAY at the Virginia Career Works Richlands Center, 501 Railroad Ave

06/17/2026

Attention Employers and Local Businesses!

Invest in your workforce at a lower cost.

The Incumbent Worker Training Grant helps employers upskill current employees by covering eligible training costs. Strengthen your team, improve productivity, and stay competitive while investing in your employees' success.

Contact Robyn Davis, Regional Business Services Coordinator at (276) 698-5712 today to learn how your business can benefit!

SWVA Workforce Development Board is an equal opportunity employer/program.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Language assistance services are available and free of charge.
TTY: Virginia Relay 711

www.vcwsouthwest.com
(276) 883-4034

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

Executive Director, Rachel Patton, is participating in the panel discussion at the VA Recovery Opioid Abatement Authority conference in Roanoke.

06/16/2026

Southwest VA Workforce Development Board Executive Director, Rachel Patton, and R.O.P.E.S. Program Manager, Lisa Baker are attending the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority conference in Roanoke this week.

"This is way overdue." "Those words from Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority Executive Director Tony McDowell said everything, because when you think about the opioid crisis from the community level, the ripple effects on education, workforce, families, the criminal justice system, economic development, and more, you realize how long Virginia has needed a moment exactly like this one.

The inaugural Virginia Recovery Conference is officially underway at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Sold out. More than 400 advocates, practitioners, and community leaders gathered in one place, the first statewide gathering of its kind in Virginia's history. This is what it looks like when Virginia shows up for recovery."

Our R.O.P.E.S. Program supports recovery, resilience, and new beginnings — because broken crayons still color.

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Learn more about Virginia Works in this video featuring Commissioner Nicole Overly, as she discusses the agency's mission and impact across Virginia.

Curious about what Virginia Works does? Hear from Commissioner Nico...

06/14/2026

A Truck, a Trade, and a New Beginning

Camryn contacted the SWVA Works team while enrolled in the SWCC Diesel Mechanics Training program at Southern Gap. He needed assistance with transportation and opportunities to gain valuable work experience.

Through the Tazewell County Cars to Work Program, funded by an ARPA grant, Camryn received a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, providing the reliable transportation he needed to attend training and pursue employment opportunities. He also received supportive service assistance for fuel and earned incentives while successfully completing his training.

After graduating from the Diesel Mechanics program, Camryn had a couple of jobs, but he still needed additional experience and opportunities to strengthen his workplace skills. To help bridge that gap, SWVA Works Workforce Specialist Lisa Hubbard connected him with an internship opportunity at Freedom Ford in Pounding Mill. During his internship, Camryn demonstrated a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to learn. He proved himself to be a valuable member of the team. His hard work and dedication led to permanent employment with Freedom Ford, where he continues to build a successful career doing work he enjoys.

Camryn reflected on his experience:
"When I was facing one of the hardest seasons of my life, unemployed, with no income, and my vehicle broken down, I honestly didn’t know how I was going to move forward. It felt like every door was closed, especially without reliable transportation to even look for work. That's when the Workforce Center stepped in and truly made a difference. Lisa went above and beyond to help me get connected to an internship program with Freedom Ford, where I'm now proudly employed. They also helped me with a vehicle, which removed a huge barrier and made it possible for me to show up and succeed."

Freedom Ford shared:
"It has been a pleasure working with the program, and we would definitely be open to more opportunities in the future. Camryn has been a great asset."

Camryn's story is a powerful example of how training, supportive services, community partnerships, and employer engagement can work together to create life-changing opportunities. Internships provide young adults with the chance to gain valuable work experience, develop workplace skills, and "get their foot in the door" with local employers.

We are proud of Camryn's accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that he achieves in the future.

SWVA Workforce Development Board is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request
To individuals with disabilities.
Language assistance services are available and free of charge.
TTY: Virginia Relay 711
www.vcwsouthwest.com
(276) 883-4034 See less