May 2, 2025 
 
The American Job Center in Emporia is located at 321 Halifax Street, Emporia, Virginia 23874. Their hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM.  

The other nearest American Job Centers are in South Hill at 118 East Danville Street, South Hill, Virginia 23970 and in Prince George at 4300 Crossings Boulevard, Prince George, Virginia 23875. 

If you have experienced job loss in Emporia, we’re here for you. Virginia Works, the Commonwealth’s workforce development agency, and our partners are committed to helping every Virginian navigate career transitions and find the best job for them. 

Impacted Employee Information and Resource Sessions:
When: Tuesday, May 6th
Two sessions: 10 am and 1 pm
Where: Golden Leaf Commons at Southside Virginia Community College AUDITORIUM
1300 Greensville County Circle
Emporia, VA 23847

Upcoming Job Fairs
Job Fair Sponsored by Georgia Pacific
When: Thursday, May 8th
Time: 10 am – 3pm
Where: Golden Leaf Commons at Southside Virginia Community College
1300 Greensville County Circle
Emporia, VA 23847

Southside Regional Job Fair
When: Thursday, May 13th
Time: 10 am-2 pm
Where: Golden Leaf Commons at Southside Virginia Community College
1300 Greensville County Circle
Emporia, VA 23847

In Person Support: 
For information about in-person support, please email Emporia@virginiaworks.gov 

You can receive free job search support, resume and cover letter review, and interview prep – as well as accessing training support and other educational opportunities for those who qualify – by visiting any American Job Center across the Commonwealth. You can find locations where Virginia Works’ full suite of services is available here: https://www.virginiaworks.gov/local-offices/

Apply for unemployment & other benefits 

Virginia Works’ partner agency, the Virginia Employment Commission, has a variety of tools to make it easier to apply for unemployment insurance. Before you begin, review the benefits eligibility requirements and step-by-step application video on VEC’s website at www.vec.virginia.gov. Have your driver’s license or government-issued ID handy. For assistance, you may also call VEC’s Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363. 

Individuals who experience a change in life circumstance outside of Open Enrollment may be eligible for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to apply for health insurance through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, as well as financial assistance. For more information, visit www.EnrollVA.org. 

You can find more information by visiting Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace | Virginia Health Benefit Exchange and request assistance by visiting  Marketplace Help Center | Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. 

Prepare for your job search 

Virginia Works provides access to a suite of tools and resources to support every jobseeker’s career navigation and job search needs. The Job Seekers’ Toolkit at https://www.virginiaworks.gov/job-seekers/ includes a wealth of labor market information, interview tips and tricks, and a career resource guide. 

Discover top employers and industries in your area 

Visit www.VirginiaHasJobs.com and explore job openings in Emporia and the broader region by industry; browse top employers and use popular search tools. Also check out the hundreds of thousands of job openings listed in the Virginia Workforce Connection at vawc.virginia.gov  

Virginia State Government Career Opportunities: Virginia state government currently has over 4,500 available career opportunities in a broad variety of fields, with locations statewide. Visit www.jobs.virginia.gov to search for a mission-focused opportunity that works for you. 

Upskilling and Reskilling: The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) offers a variety of credentials along with programs that you may be eligible for that can provide financial assistance, like G3, FastForward, and more. Visit vccs.edu for more information and tools to help determine whether these programs may be right for you. 

Update your resume 

One of our top tips is to use keywords from the job posting to ensure your resume gets past automated screening systems, optimizing for industry terms. In general, highlighting skilled areas is key: 

• Technical Skills: Specific equipment certifications, specific software proficiency, analysis skills, project management tools.
• Leadership Experience: Managing teams, supervising staff, delegating tasks.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Identifying issues, developing solutions, implementing improvements.

Accessing Mental Health Resources

This is a difficult time for impacted individuals and their families, and for the Emporia/Greensville community. If you or someone you know is having difficulty due to layoffs or for any reason, please reach out to the resources below. Please don’t wait – you and your mental health is important!

Accessing additional support tailored to Veterans’ needs  

Nearly 9% of Virginia’s population are veterans. Thank you for your service!  Virginia Works has Veteran Employment Specialists to guide and connect you to the appropriate employment resources both within the Commonwealth and your local community. Email us directly at Veteran.Services@virginiaworks.gov.  

Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) 

The Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) is a free online hub of resources and services for veterans, service members, and their families. The network provides direct access to resources and services – covering everything from job training and employment to health care and wellness – from trusted veterans service organizations, nonprofits, and state agencies. Click here for more information. 

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) 

If you are a Virginian with a disability, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) can connect you to meaningful careers and job training programs in high-demand, high-growth industries. Working with a vocational rehabilitation counselor, DARS can help you set and achieve career goals and pursue training, app