The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has received a Talent Pathways Initiative (TPI) grant from GO Virginia Region 3 to improve Southern Virginia’s workforce readiness, specifically related to advanced manufacturing and controlled environment agriculture. IALR will lead this initiative, collaborating with regional partners including the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, the South Central Workforce Development Board and the Commonwealth Regional Council.
This grant will better align workforce training with industry needs and help connect two important talent development frameworks—the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®) talent pathway initiative and EmPOWER, IALR’s systematic work-based learning framework. GO TEC introduces middle school students to career opportunities in technology and engineering, laying the groundwork for career pathways. EmPOWER builds on that foundation by providing structured work-based learning experiences to guide students’ career choices and connect them with employers.
”IALR is proud to partner with GO Virginia Region 3 to advance our efforts in developing dependable talent pipelines that support manufacturing industries. Our data-driven systems approach will help employers find the skilled talent they need while also connecting our community members with high-wage opportunities,” states Dr. Julie Brown, IALR’s Vice President for Advanced Learning and TPI lead.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Julie Brown, IALR has played a pivotal role in advancing work-based learning across Region 3 through successful programs like GO TEC and EmPOWER,” said Region 3 Council Chair Lauren Willis. “This new Talent Pathways Initiative grant will build on that momentum by preparing our workforce for high-demand fields in advanced manufacturing and controlled environment agriculture. Our regional economy in Southern Virginia continues to benefit from Dr. Brown’s vision and the outstanding work of IALR.”
GO Virginia Region 3 provided $116,715 through this grant, with an additional $59,842 matched by the Danville Regional Foundation and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. IALR contributed an additional $45,490 in leveraged funding.
The grant will fund several critical activities:
- Job Demand and Living Wage Study Update: Chmura Economics & Analytics will expand a previous Southern Virginia study to cover all 15 Region 3 localities. This study focuses on manufacturing jobs, particularly those that pay living wages.
- Talent Pipeline Management (TPM®) Academy: Offered in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, this training will help local businesses, educators and workforce organizations better coordinate workforce training with real-time employer needs applying supply chain logistics strategies to workforce development
- Youth Apprenticeship and Career Exposure Programs: Efforts will develop youth apprenticeship programs and create job-shadowing opportunities for high school students, addressing career exposure and readiness gaps.
- Addressing Instructor Shortages: partners will explore national best practices in recruiting and retaining qualified instructors for critical workforce training in advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Employer Engagement Strategies: Research will explore effective ways to encourage employers to participate actively in workforce development efforts through tax incentives, policy recommendations and direct funding support.
This initiative will conclude with a Futures Summit in November. The summit will showcase outcomes from these activities, highlight updated job market data and feature successful workforce practices identified through the grant.
Virginia’s initiative for growth and opportunity in each region, GO Virginia is an economic development initiative. GO Virginia Region 3 covers the following 15 localities:
- Amelia County
- Brunswick County
- Buckingham County
- Charlotte County
- Cumberland County
- Halifax County
- Henry County
- Lunenburg County
- Mecklenburg County
- Nottoway County
- Patrick County
- Pittsylvania County
- Prince Edward County
- City of Danville
- City of Martinsville
About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
