Virginia Tech certificate and Fairfax Workforce Development programs highlighted for federal-to-local jobseekers

Organizers closed the webinar by pointing attendees to two concrete resources for transitioning to local government careers.

Sarah, president of the Virginia Local Government Management Association, described a Virginia Tech graduate certificate in local government management: four graduate-level courses that count toward a master of public administration, taught by local-government practitioners, with a 25% scholarship spread across the four classes. She said the classes are offered on Zoom in the evenings to accommodate working professionals and provided contact information for the program coordinator.

Tatiana News of Fairfax County Workforce Development described personalized career coaching, resume-conversion assistance, job fairs and one-on-one appointments available through local employment centers. She also detailed WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) supports that can fund training, paid work-based learning, credentialing and job-development services to connect displaced federal workers and contractors to local employers.

"Through our local employment centers in the region, you can access a variety of tailored resources and services to help you succeed in transitioning from these federal roles... From expert guidance to community resources, everything we provide is aimed at one goal, which is to help you achieve success in the workforce," Tatiana said.

Both the Virginia Tech program and county workforce services were presented as immediate ways applicants can build the skills and local knowledge panelists said hiring managers value.