Announcing $1.1 million in Funding Opportunities to Expand Training and Employment

October 10, 2025

RICHMOND— On Wednesday, Oct. 8^th, the Virginia Secretary of Labor, G. Bryan Slater, announced $1.1 million for three new competitive funding opportunities to strengthen Virginia’s workforce development system and expand access to high-quality training and employment programs. These initiatives are funded by the Governor’s set-aside Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I funds and administered by Virginia Works.

“These programs represent a strategic investment in Virginia’s workforce,” said Sec. Slater. “We’re investing in Virginians at all points along their career journey, plus supporting our businesses by connecting them with untapped and emerging talent pools.”

Reflecting the Commonwealth’s commitment to building a resilient, skilled labor force that meets the needs of Virginia’s growing economy, the three funding opportunities include:

Virginia’s Apprenticeship Pathways Program for Employers – funding available $500,000: This initiative provides up to $40,000 in reimbursements to employers who develop or expand pre-apprenticeship and Youth Registered Apprenticeship programs. By offering structured, paid training aligned with industry standards, employers can build talent pipelines while helping Virginians gain valuable skills and credentials.

Virginia’s Apprenticeship Pathways Program for Career and Technical Education Centers – funding available $250,000: This program promotes partnerships between Career and Technical Education (CTE) centers and employers with to create Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for students in high-demand fields. CTE centers that establish new partnerships can be reimbursed up to $10,000 for equipment, tools, and materials needed to improve hands-on learning, with priority given to centers in rural and underfunded areas.

Virginia’s Returnship Program – funding available $420,000: Designed to connect seasoned professionals (aged 40+) returning to the workforce after an absence or making a mid-career pivot with employers that value their experience, insight, and potential. Employers can be reimbursed up to $30,000 for training, salaries, and other costs for hiring experienced individuals in project-based, advisory, and operational support roles.

“The CTE and Youth Apprenticeship grants will help employers and educators work together to prepare Virginians for the jobs of tomorrow,” remarked Slater. “And we believe returnships are an innovative new way to help our employers get the experience they need to grow and expand their businesses in the Commonwealth.”

Applications for these funding opportunities are now open. Detailed application instructions and program guidelines can be found on the following webpages:

Virginia’s Apprenticeship Pathways Program for Employers: www.virginiaworks.gov/apprenticeshippathways-employers/

Virginia’s Apprenticeship Pathways Program for Career and Technical Education Centers: www.virginiaworks.gov/apprenticeshippathways-schools/

Virginia’s Returnship Program: www.virginiaworks.gov/returnship

For additional information or questions, please contact Virginia Works at grantapplications@virginiaworks.gov.

For more information on Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s new agency for workforce development and advancement – and their broad range of services for both employers and job seekers, please visit www.virginaworks.gov.

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