Va. Gov. Youngkin launches initiative to support federal workers facing layoffs

(The Center Square) — With thousands of federal jobs possibly being cut, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has launched a new initiative to help displaced federal workers in Virginia find new employment opportunities.

The "Virginia Has Jobs" program, announced Monday, connects job seekers to more than 250,000 open positions across technology, healthcare and manufacturing industries. The program also includes a Federal Worker Support Resource Package, which offers career services, job fairs and unemployment assistance for those affected by recent federal workforce cuts.

The Trump administration's restructuring of federal agencies has resulted in mass layoffs, affecting many Virginia workers.

The commonwealth is home to more than 315,000 federal employees in defense, intelligence and civilian government roles. While the administration has said the cuts are aimed at reducing federal spending, the impact could disproportionately impact Virginia's economy.

The Trump administration began a significant federal workforce overhaul, with reductions across the federal workforce in an effort to cut costs. Over 1,600 U.S.-based employees were terminated at the U.S. Agency for International Development, while the Department of Defense announced plans to dismiss 5,400 probationary employees, followed by a hiring freeze.

Youngkin emphasized Virginia's strong job market and his administration's commitment to helping those affected transition into new roles.

"From Day One, I declared that Virginia was open for business, and we've worked tirelessly to deliver on that promise," said Youngkin in a statement. "Today, Virginia stands as the top state for business, with tremendous job opportunities across the Commonwealth. 'Virginia Has Jobs' is an opportunity for every Virginian — and every business — to capitalize on the thriving economy, with more than 250,000 open jobs waiting to be filled."

Under Youngkin's plan, federal employees facing layoffs can access several state resources, including virtual job fairs and a statewide career services network that offers resume assistance, interview preparation and job placement.

"Under Governor Youngkin, we cleared the appeals backlog at the Virginia Employment Commission and transformed workforce development in Virginia by creating a dedicated Virginia Works agency. Our focus on workforce has led to the highest labor force participation rate among any of our competitor states of NC, SC, GA, TN, FL, or TX," said Secretary of Labor G. Bryan Slater.

He continued, "Whether you're looking for your first job, facing job disruptions and searching for that next career or seeking to expand your business, the Commonwealth is the place to be. We've added over 265,000 jobs in the last three years and have over 250,000 open positions with an additional 65,000 in the pipeline."

Slater recently stated that there have been 300 or fewer applications for unemployment.

While Virginia's job market remains strong, Youngkin acknowledged that more workforce-related challenges could arise in the future as the federal job cuts continue.