New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board

08/05/2026

We're excited to announce that the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board has been awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration to launch Build Your Career, a new YouthBuild program serving young adults ages 16–24 across Southwest Virginia.

This investment is one of only a limited number of YouthBuild grants awarded nationwide and will create life-changing opportunities for 66 opportunity youth in our region.

Participants will have the opportunity to:
🏗️ Earn a GED or high school diploma
👷 Receive hands-on training in construction and healthcare
📜 Earn industry-recognized credentials
🤝 Develop leadership skills
🎓 Connect to employment, Registered Apprenticeships, and college opportunities

At the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to build a successful future. Build Your Career is designed to help young adults gain the education, skills, confidence, and support they need to launch meaningful careers.

📢 Know someone between 16 and 24 who could benefit from this opportunity? Please share this post!

🌐 Learn more: vcwnewrivermtrogers.com
📞 Call: 540-320-1908

Together, we're helping the next generation build brighter futures, one career at a time.

08/04/2026

Mark your calendars for the 2026 Business Success Symposium!

🗓 September 22, 2026
📍 Wytheville Meeting Center

Each year, employers from across Southwest Virginia come together for one of the region's premier business events—sharing ideas, learning from experts, and discovering practical resources that help businesses recruit, retain, and develop a strong workforce.

This year's theme is: Making Resources Work for You

Whether you're a small business owner, HR professional, supervisor, nonprofit leader, or economic development partner, you'll leave with new connections, practical strategies, and resources you can put to work immediately.

✔️ No cost to attend
✔️ Informative sessions
✔️ Networking opportunities
✔️ Valuable business resources

More information, speakers, and registration details will be announced soon!

06/24/2026

Please give if you can. If not, please share with your networks.

06/22/2026

Join us in helping someone change their life.

The power of work transforms lives, strengthens families, and builds stronger communities. We believe this deeply. The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Foundation exists to help individuals overcome the barriers that stand between them and meaningful employmen...

06/12/2026

🎉 Congratulations to our Executive Director, Jenny Leadbetter Bolte, on graduating from the Appalachian Regional Commission's Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI)! https://www.arc.gov/news/40-fellows-graduate-from-the-appalachian-leadership-institute-june-2026/

For nearly a year, Jenny has participated in this prestigious leadership development program alongside public, private, and nonprofit leaders from across Appalachia. ALI helps equip leaders with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to use economic development as a tool for creating positive change in their communities.

As a graduate of the program, Jenny joins the ALI Alumni Network—nearly 250 leaders across the Appalachian region who continue to collaborate, share ideas, and strengthen communities throughout Appalachia.

We are proud of Jenny's accomplishment and grateful for the leadership she brings to our organization and to the New River and Mount Rogers region every day.

Please join us in congratulating Jenny! 👏

06/09/2026

Together we are changing lives (of individuals, families, and communities).

At 19 years old, Mally knew she wanted a career where she could help people and make a difference in her community.

But pursuing her EMT certification wasn't easy. Between work, school, daily responsibilities, and financial pressures, there were plenty of reasons to give up.

Instead, she kept going.

Today, Mally has earned her EMT certification and is building a future in emergency medical services—a career she's passionate about and one that will allow her to serve others when they need help most.

Stories like Mally's remind us why the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Foundation exists. Sometimes the difference between reaching a goal and giving up is having access to training, support, and resources when they're needed most.

As we prepare for GiveLocal NRV, we're celebrating the determination of individuals like Mally and the community that helps make success possible.

"The hard work is worth it when you reach your goals."

We couldn't agree more. 💚

Want to learn more about how the Foundation helps individuals overcome barriers to employment? Visit: https://www.givelocalnrv.org/organization/New-River-Mount-Rogers-Workforce-Development-Foundation

-WorkforceFoundation

06/02/2026

📢 Employers, HR Professionals, Frontline Supervisors, Workforce Partners, and Business Leaders:

Join us on June 23 for Workforce Stability Through Support, Safety, and Skills-Based Hiring—a practical workshop designed to help employers improve retention, strengthen workplace culture, and build a more stable workforce.

Participants will learn:
✅ Skills-based hiring strategies
✅ Workforce retention best practices
✅ Supervisor communication tools
✅ Return-to-work strategies
✅ Community resources that support employee success

📅 June 23, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Pulaski Innovation Center – New River Room
🍽 Lunch provided
🎓 3.5 SHRM PDC Credits Available

Strong businesses depend on strong workforces. Join us for an engaging discussion on practical solutions that help employees succeed and employers thrive.

Register today: Register at: https://ow.ly/ysug50Z6OXy

This event is part of the Connect Appalachia initiative, which works to strengthen workforce participation and economic opportunity by connecting employers, community resources, and workforce solutions across the region.

05/31/2026

The NR/MR Workforce Development Foundation is a partner in our work to serve individuals with barriers to employment and training. With your help they can grow their flexible funding that can make such a difference in for an individual.

What if the only thing standing between someone and a good job… was one barrier?

Access to training.
A car repair.
A certification fee.

That’s where the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Foundation steps in.

During 2026 (noon June 24 to noon June 25), you can help remove those barriers and help someone go from unemployed to earning a paycheck.

Early giving begins June 1st!
https://www.givelocalnrv.org/organization/New-River-Mount-Rogers-Workforce-Development-Foundation

We’ve always believed in “teaching a person to fish.”
Now, we’re making sure they can actually get to the water.

💙 Give.
🔁 Share.
🤝 Be part of someone’s path to a better future.

05/06/2026

Manufacturers are facing increasing workforce challenges related to retention, attendance, safety, and supervisor response.

Join GENEDGE, New River Valley Community Services, and the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board for a practical Lunch & Learn focused on helping supervisors respond effectively to workplace concerns while maintaining safety, accountability, and productivity.

This session will include:
✔ Early warning signs and observable workplace behaviors
✔ Workplace Concerns & Supervisor Response
✔ Workforce retention and stability strategies
✔ Resources and alternatives that may help retain valued employees before problems escalate

📅 Thursday, May 21, 2026
🕛 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Pulaski Innovation Center – New River Room

Lunch will be provided.

Register through GENEDGE:
https://genedge.org/events-calendar/

04/21/2026

📅 Hiring events are coming up — are you ready?

We’re spotlighting several upcoming job fairs in our latest podcast episode, with details straight from the organizers themselves.

Don’t miss your chance to:
✔ Meet employers
✔ Explore opportunities
✔ Grow your network

🎧 Get all the details: https://vcwnewrivermtrogers.com/category/work-talk/