The region’s economy is diverse with the largest employment concentrations related to the Department of Defense and health care. The 20 largest private-sector firms in Hampton Roads employ 12.3% of its workers while the 20 largest public sector institutions employ 16.1% of its workers. The Department of Defense employs more than 30,000 civilians in the region as the largest employer. Four hospitals appear among the top 20 private employers in Hampton Roads. – 2010 State of the Workforce

Opportunity Inc.

Opportunity Inc. is a workforce development organization formed to address the region’s needs for a workforce that is “second to none,” of sufficient quantity to meet employer demand and equipped with the skills that support the expansion of the region’s economy. It is a partnership between the elected leadership of the eight jurisdictions of South and Western Hampton Roads (Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton County, Suffolk and Virginia Beach) and a business-led Board of Directors that includes business executives, educators, economic development professionals, labor representatives, leaders of community-based organizations and representatives of the region’s political leadership. The organization has been tasked with providing the leadership necessary to deliver a sound workforce development strategy for our region.

Norfolk Workforce Development Center

The Norfolk Workforce Development Center is conveniently located within the Wards Corner Business District. The WDC provides qualified Norfolk residents with access to job skills development and placement services, and a central location where may apply for federal, state and local assistance programs administered through the Department of Human Services. Download their brochure

Green Jobs: Weatherization Projects

Norfolk is a member of the Green Jobs Alliance (GJA) and is slated for nearly $1 million in federal funding from the Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Art (ARRA). The GJA project will focus on expanding the community’s capacity to implement energy upgrades. Trainees will be recruited from among low-income individuals served by the weatherization program. The project will provide local comprehensive training for weatherization education and energy efficiency careers through immersive learning environments, job development and support services.

Industry Certifications

Tidewater Community College provides training and assessment services for over 30 industry certification and licensing classes and various programs in maritime, ship repair, health care, construction, retail, global studies, defense and homeland security.

Educational Collaboration

The Virginia Tidewater Consortium for Higher Education (VTC) is a consortium of thirteen institutions of higher education, including four community colleges, four public colleges and universities, four private and a National Defense University.