Training

Developing a trained regional workforce is a team effort in the Highlands Business Park region.

Partners who strive to assist companies with their training needs include the Virginia Jobs Investment Program of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Highlands Community College, the Manufacturing Technology Center serving Southwest Viriginia, one-stop employment centers, the Virginia Employment Commission, local vocational and technical schools, the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, and Smyth and Washington County economic development officials.

These workforce development partners work with companies from first meetings through recruiting and hiring and customizing training acess and resources for each manufacturer's needs.

One of the region's unique partnerships is the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing. In partnership with the National Association of Manufacturers' Manufacturing Institute, the Virginia Manufacturers Association, the Virginia Council on Advanced Technology Skills, and the Virginia Tobacco Commission membership in the Alliance makes companies eligible for reimbursement funds and skills training opportunities specifically designed to meet a company’s workforce needs.

Check out these training resources:

• Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing
• Jobs Investment Program
• Virginia Highlands Community College
• Manufacturing Technology Center
• Virginia Employment Commission
• Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center