About The Good Jobs Challenge Grant
The Hampton Roads Workforce Council was recently selected by the U.S. economic development administration as one of 32 awardees of the $500 million good jobs challenge — funded by President Biden’s American rescue plan. As part of this initiative, the workforce council received an $11 million grant to lead the development and implementation of the Hampton Roads Workforce Training System — the region’s first structured workforce ecosystem that will focus on building a talent pipeline for priority industries.
Future system expansion once this effort is validated will include sectorial partnerships in healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology.
This system will center around five pillars:
- Aligning regional workforce solutions
- Attracting new talent to priority industries
- Training and developing diverse talent to fill open positions
- Retaining existing talent to upskill our regional workforce
- Creating new jobs through increasing the capacity of small businesses
Organization & Community-based Partners
System Alignment Team:
The System Alignment Team will provide workforce development asset mapping, industry needs assessments, labor market information, economic forecasting, and regional economic advocacy.
Talent Recruitment Team:
The Talent Recruitment Team will develop a grassroots recruitment network to connect underresourced and underrepresented populations into the maritime industry.
Talent Development Team:
The Talent Development Team will develop and implement training programs to meet the workforce needs of the industry.
Talent Retention Team:
The Talent Retention Team will develop and implement an inclusive college internship pipeline and soft skills trainings.
Job Creation Team:
The Job Creation Team will advocate for the needs of local small businesses with a focus on BIPOC/SWAM businesses and share information about capacity building and training opportunities available.
General Support Team:
*Stakeholders representing community organizations, labor and education are anticipated to join as the System is developed.
Employer Partners
Jobs supported by the Grant
- Maritime Welder
- Structural Fitters
- Sheet Metal Fabricators
- Electrical Technicians
- Maritime Coating
- Outside Machinist
- Wind Turbine Technician
- Commercial Drivers
- Cybersecurity
