Gov. Glenn Youngkin launches ‘Virginia Has Jobs’ to assist unemployed federal workers
The state of Virginia announced the launch of "Virginia Has Jobs", an effort to enforce talented workforce.
Virginia's Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a new online resource for jobseekers, title 'Virginia Has Jobs'. According to a press release, the site is an initiative to "further strengthen the commonwealth's economy" by connecting workers with available job openings.
As part of the announcement, the governor also unveiled a dedicated resource page specifically for federal employees affected by the Trump administration’s recent downsizing of the federal government.
What is 'Virginia Has Jobs'?
On the report of WTKR News, the state of Virginia declared that has more than 250,00 jobs open, to capitalize on the thriving economy.
“From Day One, I declared that Virginia was open for business, and we’ve worked tirelessly to deliver on that promise,” declared Gov. Youngkin.
The website is organized into seven geographic regions within Virginia, where users can find information on employers, job openings, internships, and training opportunities in the public and private sectors.
Virginia's Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Caren Merrick, emphasized, “We want job seekers nationwide to recognize that companies like LEGO, Micron, Amazon, Capital One, Liebherr Mining Equipment, and Electro-Mechanical know that Virginia offers abundant opportunities.”
The resources available on the site include guidance on applying for unemployment benefits, job search preparation, and access to the Virginia Community College System's credentialing programs.
Last, Virginia Works will host a virtual job fair on Wednesday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p. m.
Lawmaker concerns about Youngkin's idea
In a statement on Monday, Feb. 24, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott criticized Governor Youngkin, stating that "Virginians need a leader, not a career coach".
Scott pointed out that many veterans, public servants, and federal contractors are expecting "real fear and uncertainty" due to recent cut jobs.
"Governor Youngkin is approaching this all wrong. Instead of telling hardworking Virginians to pivot into careers unrelated to their expertise, he should be focusing on preventing this crisis," Scott said.
According to the Virginia Mercury, Virginia is home to approximately 145,000 federal employees. Also, state legislators recently formed an emergency committee to evaluate the potential impact on Virginia’s economy and federal grants.
This initiative comes after Maryland Governor Wes Moore launched a similar website earlier this month, offering resources for affected individuals.
Majority Leader Scott Surovell expressed concern, saying, “Trump’s disruption, grant freezes, and federal job cuts will harm Virginia’s economy more than any other state.”
“Virginians didn’t vote for this, and Trump lost our state by 250,000 votes,” Surovell added in his Monday statement. “Virginians expect Governor Youngkin to stand up for their jobs, not back down.”