The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board consist of the Chief Elected Official or the Chief Administrative Officer from each of the local governments comprising the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area (NR/MR WIA), which is a 13 jurisdiction area including the counties of Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, Smyth, Washington and Wythe and the cities of Bristol, Galax and Radford. The Consortium Board serves as the policy board for the Area which includes making appointments to the Workforce Development Board.

The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board (WDB) is made up of representatives from regional employers (minimum of 51%), education, organized labor, community based organizations, economic development and federally required One-Stop Partners. All WDB members are appointed by the Consortium Board. The WDB oversees the programs and initiatives as specified in the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (which include programs for Adults, Youth, Dislocated Workers and other special grants and programs as available). The WDB also acts as a coordinator/convener for the region’s workforce system to interface with economic development and the business community. The Workforce System includes (but is not limited to):

  • K-12 Education systems
  • Post-Secondary Education/Training providers
  • Adult Education
  • Training/Employment Programs offered for special populations
    • Older Workers
    • Workers with Disabilities
    • Economically Disadvantaged individuals
    • Youth (ages 14-21)
    • Veterans

One of the methods of coordination is through the Business Solution Units (BSU) The main purpose of the BSU is to build and maintain relationships with local businesses so that the workforce system can be poised to meet the unique needs of those businesses by providing customized workforce solutions that help them to achieve their business goals.

 

Regional Contact: Marty Holliday – mholliday@nrvdc.org or 540-633-6764