Career Resources

1. Job Seeker & Career Pathways

Resume & Interview Prep Tools:
- Interactive resume builders and local template guides.
- Virtual and in-person interview preparation guides (including panel interview best practices).
Skills Training & Career Technical Education (CTE):
- Direct portals to local community colleges (e.g., Brightpoint Community College) and vocational/technical centers.
- Information on high-demand industry credentials, apprenticeships, and trade certifications.
Government & Public Sector Employment:
- Direct portals to local municipal job boards (Colonial Heights, City of Petersburg, Dinwiddie County).
- State (Jobs.Virginia.gov) and federal (USAJOBS) employment portals.
Military & Veteran Career Transition:
- Military-to-civilian skill translation tools (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard).
- Resources for military spouses and local Fort Barfoot / Fort Gregg-Adams transition programs.

2. State & Regional Workforce Portals

Virginia Career Works (VCW) & VEC:
- Direct access to Virginia Workforce Connection for state labor exchanges and job matching.
- Local Virginia Career Works center locations and virtual job fair calendars.
Regional Adult Education & Upskilling:
- Regional Adult Education & Upskilling
  
  Free Adult Literacy, GED Preparation & ESL Providers
  - Southside Programs for Adult Continuing Education (SPACE): The primary adult education provider serving Colonial Heights, Petersburg, and Dinwiddie County. SPACE offers free classes for adult literacy, high school equivalency (GED) preparation, and English as a Second Language (ESL).
  - Capital Region Adult Education / CCWA: Offers tuition-free GED prep, adult basic education, and English language instruction through the Community College Workforce Alliance in nearby Chesterfield County and the greater Richmond region.
  - Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center (VALRC) Provider Directory: Connects local residents with regional adult education centers, testing sites, and free online study modules.
  Digital Literacy & Basic Computer Workshops
  - Local Public Library Digital Literacy Programs: Free computer access, basic digital literacy workshops, and Microsoft Office training hosted regularly at:
    - Colonial Heights Public Library
    - Appomattox Regional Library System (serving Dinwiddie County and surrounding areas)
    - Petersburg Public Library
  - Virginia Career Works - Crater Region Centers: On-site computer labs and staff support for job seekers needing guidance on digital applications, resume upload tools, and online portal navigation.
  - Northstar Digital Literacy Resources: Self-paced modules and guided training available through local workforce development centers to assess and build essential computer skills, internet usage, and software navigation.

Employer Hiring Incentives & Grants

Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP): Direct state-funded discretionary grants to offset employee recruitment and training costs for qualifying expanding companies or businesses undergoing technology upgrades.
On-the-Job Training (OJT) Reimbursements: Partner with Virginia Career Works to receive wage reimbursements (typically up to 50%) to offset onboarding and instruction costs when hiring qualifying new workers.
Virginia Worker Training Tax Credit: State tax credits equal to 35% of eligible training costs for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors or manufacturers providing middle and high school career instruction.