Up to $1.8 million available for Workforce Development Innovation  
and Facilitating Career Pivots

RICHMOND— On Friday, March 28^th, the Secretary of Labor, G. Bryan Slater, announced two competitive funding opportunities, “Facilitating Career Pivots into High-Demand Occupations” and “Investing in Workforce Development Innovation for the Future of the Commonwealth,” funded via the Governor’s set-aside Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I funds and administered by Virginia Works.  

Local Workforce Development Boards, educational institutions, non-profit entities and professional associations are encouraged to apply for up to $150,000 per grant for developing and implementing programs.   

The “Facilitating Career Pivots into High-Demand Occupations” grant funds programs and initiatives in job placement in activities including upskilling, reskilling, innovative career transitions, coaching and a range of interactive workforce services.  The total funds available under this grant are $900,000. 

The “Investing in Workforce Development Innovation for the Future of the Commonwealth” grant is designed, in part, to increase Registered Apprenticeship enrollment and high-demand industries job placements while also cultivating digital skills. The total funds available under this grant are also $900,000. 

For both opportunities, the application deadline is 5 pm ET, April 25, 2025. Question and answer sessions will be hosted for interested parties on Tuesday, April 8, from 2-3 pm and Friday, April 22, from 2-3 pm. To sign up for an information session, please email subawardinquiries@virginiaworks.gov. 

For more information about partnership requirements and reimbursement details for these grants, or for more information about Virginia Works and our full range of workforce services, please visit http://www.virginiaworks.gov.