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Driving Economic Transformation

What an Eight-Year Data Comparison Tells Us about Southern Virginia’s Workforce

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What an Eight-Year Data Comparison Tells Us about Southern Virginia’s Workforce

What an Eight-Year Data Comparison Tells Us about Southern Virginia’s Workforce

By Jessie Vernon, Director, Experiential Learning and Employer Engagement, IALR

When we compare the 2025 Job Availability data with the 2017 data, one thing is clear: progress has been made, but challenges remain.

The 2025 Living Wage and Job Availability Study analyzes the workforce landscape across GO Virginia Region 3, which spans 15 localities in Southern Virginia, including the cities of Danville and Martinsville and counties such as Halifax, Pittsylvania and Patrick. This region has worked collaboratively for years to strengthen its economy and workforce, and this latest report provides a critical snapshot of where we stand today — and how the landscape has evolved over the past eight years.

Job Availability by Pay Range & Living Wage

Wages in 2017 were more heavily skewed towards lower ranges, with more than 50% of jobs paying less than $13 per hour. Increases in the Virginia minimum wage ($12.41 an hour in 2025) eliminated hourly wages below $11.

However, this change alone does not account for the shift in regional wages.

More than 50% of job openings in 2017 fell in the lowest three pay ranges. In 2025, the lowest three pay ranges (excluding those below $11 an hour) accounted for just 33.5% of available openings.

This change highlights a shift to higher-paying jobs in the region.

The region has seen a drastic improvement in the availability of living-wage jobs, defined as jobs paying a rate needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, childcare and healthcare without public assistance.
  • In 2017, the majority of job postings provided a living wage for just four out of 12 family types
  • In 2025, the majority of openings support eight of the 12 family types

Shifts in Job Demand

One of the most notable changes since 2017 is the composition of job openings. Healthcare and social assistance became the most dominant employment sector, accounting for 35.3% of all openings in June 2025. This is a shift from just 18% in June 2017 when retail trade jobs dominated postings with 29.5% of all available jobs.

Top industries by share of job postings, 2017 vs. 2025 — GO Virginia Region 3

From 2017 to 2025, job postings in GO Virginia Region 3 shifted from retail‑led to healthcare‑led — with retail falling from 29.5% to 15.8% and health care and social assistance rising from 18.0% to 35.3%.
Industry 2017 share 2025 share
Health care and social assistance 18.0% (2) 35.3% (1)
Retail trade 29.5% (1) 15.8% (2)
Accommodation and food services 12.5% (3) 10.9% (3)
Educational services 5.3% (5) 8.5% (4)
Construction 2.0% (12) 5.9% (5)
Manufacturing 4.3% (7) 5.1% (6)

Retail and food services continue to rank high (15.8%), while advanced manufacturing has grown in strategic importance. Even as the study notes a surplus of workers in manufacturing, employers tell us that surplus doesn’t always translate to qualified talent.

Skill misalignment persists across industries, including manufacturing, and within sectors with labor surpluses and deficits. Projected growth from major manufacturing employers such as Microporous underscores the urgency of aligning training with industry needs and regional economic development goals.

Education Requirements: Then and Now

In 2017, 69.5% of open jobs required no postsecondary education. In 2025, job postings have shifted toward higher educational requirements, with approximately half of jobs requiring no postsecondary education.

While jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree are more prevalent now (up 8.8% from 2017), skilled jobs requiring some college, a non-degree award or associate degree are on the rise as well (up 5.8%).

Education requirements for job openings, 2017 vs. 2025 — GO Virginia Region 3

Job postings in GO Virginia Region 3 shifted markedly from 2017 to 2025, with fewer roles requiring no postsecondary education and a substantial rise in positions needing a bachelor’s degree or higher.”
Education requirement  2017 2025
No postsecondary (no credential + high school) 69.5% 49.8%
Some postsecondary (some college, non-degree, or associate) 10.0% 15.8%
Bachelor’s or higher 20.5% 34.3%

Approximately three-fifths of the jobs in the region still require no formal postsecondary degrees. This means many opportunities are accessible with proper training and credentials rather than a two-year or four-year degree. As would be expected, as the level of education rises, so does the average hourly wage for jobs requiring that education. 

IALR’s Role in Closing the Gaps

While IALR doesn’t grant traditional degrees, we serve as a hub for workforce innovation, connecting schools, employers and training providers to deliver certifications, Registered Apprenticeship and other work-based learning experiences.

Our Advanced Learning team, which commissioned this study with support from GO Virginia and the Danville Regional Foundation, works every day to bridge the gap between education and industry.

Through initiatives like the Career ChoICE Youth Expo, thousands of students experience hands-on career exploration activities led directly by regional employers from high-demand sectors. The ExTRA program (Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship) helps employers, including those in industries like healthcare, the trades and manufacturing, build sustainable pipelines through state Registered Apprenticeship.

IALR’s ExTRA initiative has supported Danville Life Saving Crew and Franklin County Public Safety with the creation of the first registered EMT and Paramedic registered apprenticeship programs.

We also support internships, job shadowing experiences for high school students and teachers, and dual-enrollment opportunities that give learners a head start on credentials. These programs complement Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®), which introduces middle schoolers to high-demand career clusters, ensuring that interest becomes preparation — and preparation becomes opportunity.

The data tells a story of progress, but also a call to action.

Our region has made strides in wages and workforce development, yet we face current and forecasted future gaps in healthcare talent and an increasing demand for manufacturing workers. Addressing these challenges will require continued collaboration among educators, employers and community leaders.

Read the full report and join us in shaping the next chapter of Southern Virginia’s workforce future.

Jessie Vernon is IALR’s Director of Employer Engagement and Experiential Learning. Vernon has more than a decade of experience in supporting the creation of effective work-based learning programs, ranging from micro-experiences to apprenticeships and internships.

Request a Copy of the Living Wage and Job Availability Report
Melanie Lewis Joins IALR As Vice President, Advanced Learning

Melanie Lewis Joins IALR As Vice President, Advanced Learning

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to announce that Melanie Lewis, Ph.D., will join the leadership team as Vice President, Advanced Learning, effective Jan. 20, 2026. With extensive experience in higher education, workforce development and talent pipeline strategy, Lewis brings a track record of aligning academic programs with workforce needs, building partnerships and implementing strategies that prepare learners for high-demand careers. As the Vice President, Advanced Learning, Lewis will oversee programs and initiatives that deliver educational and talent development initiatives that meet employer needs, increase STEM capacity, connect students to careers and promote lifelong and service learning across Southern Virginia.

“This role allows me to give back to the community that helped shape me while advancing IALR’s work in economic transformation. I am especially excited to lead the advanced learning division, where education is intentionally aligned with workforce needs to create lasting, meaningful impact.” – Melanie Lewis, Ph.D., Vice President, Advanced Learning

The largest program of the Advanced Learning division is Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC®). Now in 76 Virginia middle schools and continuing to expand across the Commonwealth, GO TEC provides hands-on exposure to careers in strategic sectors, such as manufacturing, engineering and technology. Lewis will also oversee work-based learning programs through the EmPOWER framework, including the ExTRA (Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship) program, as well as various other initiatives such as Dan River Year AmeriCorps, the REACH Partnership, the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning and others.

Lewis brings more than 15 years of experience in education and workforce development. Most recently, she served as Dean of Health and Public Services at Alamance Community College, where she guided multiple academic programs and strengthened connections between education and industry. Previously, she held leadership roles at Averett University in Danville, Va., where she advanced academic programs and student success initiatives. Lewis has a Ph.D. in Education from Northcentral University, a Master of Science in Sport Studies from High Point University, and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Sport, Health and Education from Radford University.

Lewis will report directly to IALR President Telly D. Tucker and will play a key role in advancing IALR’s mission to catalyze economic transformation through education and workforce development.

“As the region’s hub for workforce development, IALR is committed to building pathways that lead to meaningful careers. Melanie’s experience and vision will ensure our Advanced Learning division continues to deliver innovative programs that serve students, employers and communities.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President

Executive Vice President of Operations Dr. John H. Hughes IV will continue serving as Interim Vice President of Advanced Learning until Lewis assumes the role on Jan. 20, 2026.

“It was a pleasure to serve as the Interim Vice President of Advanced Learning during our nationwide search, and I welcome Dr. Lewis to the IALR Team. She steps into this role with an action-oriented leadership style focused on regional collaboration and supporting workforce pathways through education. I am excited for  Dr. Lewis to join our resilient and dedicated colleagues in IALR’s Advanced Learning division, and we look forward to working with her.” – John H. Hughes IV, Ed.D., Executive Vice President, Operations, IALR

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 within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. 

Inside IALR Podcast: Apprenticeships: Pipeline of Skilled Talent

Inside IALR Podcast: Apprenticeships: Pipeline of Skilled Talent

“Registered apprenticeships still have a lot of space for training and developing the next generation of talent.” – Natori Neal, Apprenticeship Coordinator

The “Inside IALR” team highlights the Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeship (ExTRA) program and how it supports Southern Virginia employers in exploring and establishing registered apprenticeship programs with the Virginia Department of Labor & Industry. This special edition episode features a conversation with IALR Advanced Learning Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal, Danville Life Saving Crew Chief Executive Officer Johnny Mills and Outreach Recruiting and Training Manager Jamie Lynn Lindley of Comfort Systems USA MidAtlantic.

They discuss what IALR’s role is in developing apprenticeship programs across Southern Virginia (00:54), how an apprenticeship differs from a traditional employment opportunity (01:48) and the benefits of apprenticeships for employers and businesses (15:46) and the impact moving forward.

 

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IALR Receives Nearly $500,000 Grant to Expand Apprenticeships Within 15 Southern Virginia Localities

IALR Receives Nearly $500,000 Grant to Expand Apprenticeships Within 15 Southern Virginia Localities

IALR to create regional apprenticeship consortium and serve as VA DOLI intermediary sponsor for employers

The Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) has awarded the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) a grant of $497,890 for its ExTRA (Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeships) program to grow state registered apprenticeships within the 15 Southern Virginia localities throughout GO Virginia Region 3. IALR will create a regional apprenticeship consortium to recruit apprentices and employers, as well as serve as the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s (DOLI) intermediary sponsor to help employers lacking capacity to fulfill the role as primary sponsor.

Virginia’s Registered Apprenticeship program is an occupation-specific training model designed to produce highly skilled workers to meet the demands of employers. The model includes a combination of on-the-job training and related technical instruction with a paid job experience for the employees.

“Apprenticeships are a win-win for both employers and job seekers willing to learn on the job,” said Dr. Julie Brown, Vice President, Advanced Learning, IALR. “The employer remains globally competitive by recruiting and retaining a highly skilled staff, and the job seeker receives a job with a good starting wage, valuable training and the chance to earn a portable Journeyworker credential without accumulating debt.”

In alignment with economic development interests and employer needs, IALR will focus on expanding apprenticeships for occupations in construction, healthcare, early childhood education, manufacturing and information technology. TRRC funding will support the following:

  1. continued support for a dedicated Apprenticeship Coordinator to provide technical assistance to employers in designing apprenticeship opportunities;
  2. incentives to employers to cover the direct costs of the required Related Technical Instruction (anticipated at 144 hours per year per apprenticeship), limited to $2,700 per year per apprentice; and
  3. development of a regional apprenticeship consortium with a website and marketing materials to support recruitment.

IALR plans to provide assistance for up to 36 new apprentices each year for three years, for a total of 108 apprentices (recognizing that depending on the selected occupation apprenticeship, terms can run one, two, three or four years). Employers will provide wages and fringe benefits averaging $16 per hour.

New apprenticeships will be registered through the state DOLI. Apprentices who succeed in this program will receive their Journeyworker credential, a nationally recognized certificate demonstrating an individual has completed an apprenticeship and has the ability to perform all tasks of the trade in the area certified.

The Danville Regional Foundation and employers will provide matching funds for the grant. The total estimated contribution from employers (for apprenticeship wages and benefits) is over $7 million for the three years of the grant period.

The TRRC grant award is a follow-up to the $64,800 2021 TRRC grant award, which funded the development of an implementation plan with a list of employers, by sector, who were interested in establishing an apprenticeship program; and details on the credentials for the different apprenticeship programs and associated training needs. Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal of IALR, hired as part of this project, completed the aforementioned requirements, worked to have IALR approved as a Virginia DOLI intermediary sponsor, and has already begun assisting employers through the apprenticeship process.

“IALR works to increase awareness for registered apprenticeship as a high-quality, work-based learning model, provide companies with program development and registration support, and offer connections to resources that are integral to program sustainability,” said Neal. “We also have the capability to manage the administration of programs for businesses that do not have the capacity to serve as the primary sponsors of apprenticeship programs.”

Neal has helped five employers establish registered apprenticeship programs and currently has one company participating as an employer of record in an IALR-sponsored apprenticeship program.
“The journey to establish our apprenticeship program has not been one we’ve traveled alone,” said Justin Hylton, Vice President of plumbing solutions provider Southside Mechanical Services Inc. in Danville. “We’ve had a lot of help from the folks at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, our DOLI representative, as well as the people with Virginia Technical Institute.”

State registered apprenticeships are one aspect of IALR’s EmPOWER framework to promote work-based learning. An employer-driven system, EmPOWER provides job seekers opportunities and tools for career awareness, career exposure and engagement, and career experience, all to drive employment.

“ExTRA aligns perfectly with the Commonwealth’s goals to increase opportunities for licensing, training and job opportunities for in-demand, high-paying skilled positions,” said Jessie Vernon, Program Manager, IALR. “IALR is here to serve as an accessible resource and helpful guide for businesses and potential apprentices. In this way, we hope to generate more state registered apprenticeships, what we consider to be the pinnacle of work-based learning experiences.”

Interested businesses or potential apprentices should contact Neal at natori.neal@ialr.org or 434.766.6657.

(L-R) First row: John Daniel (Daniel Builders, LLC), Ulises Jimenez, David Sage (Virginia Technical Institute); second row: Natori Neal (IALR), Kara Joyce (Virginia Department of Labor and Industry), and Dr. Julie Brown (IALR) participate in a signing ceremony.

(Left to right) Front: Plumber apprentices Corey Woods, James Hess, Caleb Shelton and Anthony Worsham Jr.; back: Natori Neal, IALR; Kara Joyce, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI); Justin Hylton, Vice President, Southside Mechanical Services (SMS); George Hylton, Owner/ President, SMS; David Sage, Executive Director, Virginia Technical Institute (VTI); and Jessie Vernon, IALR. IALR worked with DOLI and VTI to help SMS achieve registration as a state apprenticeship sponsor.