Work Talk is a podcast about happenings in the region’s businesses. Businesses that participate in the podcast have the opportunity to tell their story; who are they, what do they do and what do they need to be competitive? Job seekers, through listening to the podcast, have the opportunity to learn about business needs and expectations and how they might prepare to go to work for a particular business and/or in a particular industry. We recognize that the more we understand about what businesses want/need, the more likely we are to meet that need.

E71: Recovery-Ready Regions: How Multi-State Partnerships Are Rebuilding Appalachia

In this episode, you’ll hear from two guests who share how a major multi-state initiative is reshaping workforce development across Appalachia by connecting recovery, employment, and economic growth. Listeners will […]

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E70: Funding the Future of Work: A New Model for Workforce Foundations

In this episode, listeners will discover how a regional workforce foundation is building long-term impact by strengthening its financial, operational, and programmatic capacity. You’ll learn how new funding is being […]

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E69: Celebrating the People Who Power Workforce Development

In this special Workforce Development Month episode of Work Talk, we turn the spotlight on the people who make it all happen. Listeners will hear directly from the dedicated staff […]

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E68: From Data to Action: Building Smarter Workforce Systems

What happens when a university research center and a workforce board team up for over a decade? This episode shares lessons from a long-standing partnership that has turned labor market […]

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E67: From Incarceration to Opportunity: Stories of Hope and Work

In this episode, you’ll hear how a powerful reentry initiative is transforming lives by preparing incarcerated individuals for meaningful employment before their release. Discover how collaborative efforts across regional, state, […]

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E66: Mentoring, Learning, and Growing: YouthBuild’s Transformative Model

In this episode, we revisit the powerful impact of the YouthBuild program, a community-based initiative designed to help young adults ages 16 to 24 earn their high school diploma or […]

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E65: From Draft to Direction: The Workforce Development Planning Process

Discover the comprehensive journey of creating a three-year strategic plan for regional workforce development. This episode explores how input from diverse stakeholders shapes a document that serves as both a […]

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E64: The Rural Health Workforce Challenge: Solutions in Action

This episode explores the critical need for healthcare workers in Southwest Virginia and efforts to address workforce shortages in the region. You’ll hear about a public health professionals program aimed […]

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E63: Changing the Game: How GiveLocalNRV and the New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development Foundation Are Making an Impact

In this episode we welcome Lindsey Gleason, Assistant Director of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, to discuss the upcoming GiveLocalNRV initiative. Lindsey explains how the Community Foundation […]

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E62: Workforce Innovations: Enhancing Capacity and Efficiency in Workforce Development

In this episode, you’ll learn about a grant project aimed at bridging the skilled trades gap in the region. You’ll also hear about the board’s initiatives to develop sector partnerships […]

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