Capital Region Employment Transition Center

The Capital Region Workforce Partnership established the Employment Transition Center to assist the region with meeting the needs of more than 10,000 individuals who found themselves in receipt of lay-off notices because their companies were reducing the size of their workforce or were closing their doors. By far the largest number of affected workers to date have been those losing their jobs as a result of the closure of Qimonda, Reynolds Packaging, Circuit City and those facing lay-off from Wachovia Securities. The Employment Transition Center was initiated to provide access to information about potential job opportunities and assistance with registration to receive WIA (Workforce Investment Act) services that will lead to employment and training opportunities as quickly as possible. Since its opening date, March 9, 2009, additional companies have been added to the grant that funds the center to ensure that others that have been laid-off and are also in need of WIA re-employment assistance have access to the site. WIA staff are on site to assist individuals in completing the application for services and to assist those who seek the services in developing a plan of action.

The WIA services include developing appropriate resumes, cover letters, thank you notes, as well as how to organize the job search process to locate suitable opportunities. WIA enrolled individuals receive individualized assessment of their skills, aptitudes and interests and have the opportunity to receive employment counseling that will assist the affected worker in developing a plan of action designed to get them back to work. The plan of action may include education and training to improve/enhance existing skills, secure new credentials that will be used in a different occupation or career path, or prepare the individual for the interviewing process.

The Employment Transition Center also provides access to critical workforce system partner services to support laid off workers. The Virginia Employment Commission is on site daily to address the needs of individuals seeking information about their UI claims, registration with the Job Service to ensure that job opportunities that meet their qualifications are made available through the automated matching system, and that any questions about the services of the Virginia Employment Commission can be answered.

In addition to the Virginia Employment Commission presence at the Transition Center, Clearpoint Financial Services is also on site daily to assist customers with budgeting, managing debt, addressing impending foreclosure concerns, and other financial questions that can and will affect the laid-off worker’s stability.

The Capital Region’s Local Departments of Social Services are on site daily to assist laid-off workers complete screening tools that can assist individuals consider whether or not they are potentially eligible to receive social services of any type including food stamps, child care, health coverage, financial assistance, etc.

Workshops related to stress management are offered on a schedule by the Capital Region’s Community Services Boards and Mental Health Organizations.

Information and opportunities to consider entrepreneurship as a possible new direction are also made available at the center on a scheduled basis including workshops and “how-to” activities sponsored and delivered by the SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives), New Visions-New Ventures, and the Small Business Association (SBA).

The Employment Transition Center was created as a one-stop workforce center to provide eligible customers, laid off workers, with the services and activities needed to support their job search efforts as well as respond to the financial, emotional and support needs that must be addressed to create a sense of well being; and provide an opportunity for customers to network with others who find themselves searching for new opportunities.

The Employment Transition Center was also designed as a place through which employers can have access to skilled talented workers from across the region. Employers seeking to fill job openings are invited into the Center to conduct targeted recruitment activities and to share with potential workers information about the skills and opportunities in their industry and with their company. The Transition Center is connected to three additional workforce centers in the Capital Region that can also refer talented skilled workers to meet an employer’s needs. The Virginia Employment Commission is also on site to assist employers place their job orders in the job openings database that all job seekers can access.

What makes the Transition Center unique is its sole focus on laid-off workers.

Where: 4060 Innslake Drive
Innsbrook

Operating Hours: Monday- Friday
9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Contact: (804) 273-6260