The Alexandria/Arlington Regional Workforce Council has been awarded $150,000 in state funding to provide executive coaching services to higher-skilled job seekers in the region.
The grant, announced today by Governor Glenn Youngkin, is part of over $1 million in workforce development funding distributed across Virginia through the “Facilitating Career Pivots into High-Demand Occupations” program.
The Alexandria/Arlington grant will fund executive coaching services, including executive-level skill rebranding, resume revamping, career coaching, mock interviews, and connections to employers for job seekers.
The council serves as the local Workforce Development Board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and provides oversight over services at the Alexandria Workforce Development Center and the Arlington Employment Center. The organization is comprised of representatives from business, economic development, housing and urban development, vocational rehabilitation, organized labor, and community-based organizations, with members appointed by the Mayor of Alexandria and the Arlington County Board Chair.
The new executive coaching program aligns with the council’s mission to “help drive equitable economic growth in Alexandria and Arlington County by implementing an effective, efficient, and inclusive workforce ecosystem.” The organization’s goals include building better employer relationships, developing a qualified workforce with essential competencies, and connecting people to jobs that pay a living wage with benefits.
The council currently provides various workforce services through its two American Job Centers, including financial support for college tuition and vocational certifications, subsidies for transportation, books and fees while in school, and uniforms for employment. Alexandria City residents can access services at the Alexandria Workforce Development Center, while Arlington County residents use the Arlington Employment Center.
“Virginia has jobs, and each of these proposals improves opportunities for job seekers in the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said in announcing the awards. “We look forward to working with each of the awardees to tackle important aspects of workforce development.”
The funding comes through the Governor’s set-aside Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I funds and is administered by Virginia Works.
Other regional recipients include the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, which received $150,000 to upskill and reskill job seekers from underserved communities for careers in healthcare and skilled trades, and Virginia Career Works Northern, which also received $150,000 to assist job seekers impacted by federal staff reductions in switching careers.
Additional grants were awarded under the “Investing in Workforce Development Innovation for the Future of the Commonwealth” program, focusing on registered apprenticeships and high-demand industries.
Virginia Works will monitor the progress of all grants to ensure performance and compliance.
