Success Stories

I was introduced to the program through Sparkforce Camp at Salem City High School and accepted admission after learning about the opportunity. Through Virginia Career Works, I received support including help obtaining work boots that I will use when I begin part-time work with Graham White Manufacturing Company, and later transition to full-time employment after graduating high school. My career coach also helped me identify my career interests and better understand my options, which I had not fully explored before the camp. This experience helped me gain clarity on my career path and showed me what opportunities are available. I would recommend the program because it helps you get a job or start a career and provides a better understanding of the types of jobs out there.

I was referred by BSI to Virginia Career Works as I was interested in training, but I found a better opportunity through an OJT program with Corell Electric. With support from Virginia Career Works, I received career coaching, completed my OJT, and was provided supportive services like work boots. After finishing the program, I was hired full-time by Corell Electric. This experience helped me discover a new career path and secure stable employment. I would recommend their services to other people looking to change career paths.

I work for the United States Forest Service and needed a Class A CDL, but my agency’s budget did not cover the training and I couldn’t afford it on my own. That led me to Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board and the Fast Forward program through Mountain Gateway Community College. Once I connected with the right people, the process was straightforward. The team was responsive, answered my questions, and kept me on track throughout the program. This partnership made it possible for me to complete the training and earn my Class A CDL, something that otherwise would not have been possible. I recommend MGCC and Greater Roanoke Works for anyone looking to further their education, training, and experience!

The Star City Works program has really been helpful for me during my career change process. They kept me on track and provided assistance while I left my job after 12 years to start a new journey in the nursing field. I was excited yet nervous about this move because my household would undergo a pay cut while I was in training. SCW helped during this challenging time by providing assistance with uniform needs, household bills, and groceries for my family of 5. Now that I’ve graduated, I feel more confident in myself when it comes to setting & achieving my goals. Thank you to everyone who played a part in my success.

I heard about Virginia Career Works through word of mouth after hearing success stories from peers in my community, which encouraged me to pursue my own career goals. The staff helped me by organizing a clear game plan to accomplish my goals, providing words of encouragement, and serving as an accountability partner to keep me focused and on track. This experience helped me raise my belief in myself and build real confidence in my ability to achieve what I set out to do. I now feel empowered and capable of reaching any goals I set with proper planning and focus. I would tell others to take full advantage of the help, support, resources, and grants being offered in the community because this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be turned down.

Six months ago, I was battling drug addiction and uncertainty about my future when I connected with Virginia Career Works. That moment gave me hope and introduced me to a new path forward. My career coach shared opportunities with me, especially the chance to earn my Class A CDL, and I was awarded a scholarship that covered classroom training, driving instruction, and my DOT physical. With that support, I completed the program and was hired by Western Express as a professional driver, and I’m now traveling the country, earning a great income and building a stable future.

My experience being in Youthbuild and the (WIOA) Youth Program, it taught me a lot. It opened a lot of doors for me workwise and it brought me a lot of respect from my peers and my coworkers. It just opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities and a lot of things that’s out there and I’m very grateful for the opportunities I have been given.

As a newcomer to Roanoke, I struggled to find stable, well-paying work and was stuck in a demanding minimum-wage job without benefits. After ongoing financial and health challenges, I decided to pursue a career in healthcare but needed support to afford further training. Through Virginia Career Works, I was connected to the WIOA program, which provided funding, guidance, and support to continue my education. Staff members like Elizabeth Swing, Carolyn Coles, and Dr. Greimel supported me throughout the process, helping me stay on track and continue my CMA program despite multiple medical setbacks. Their support changed my life by helping me complete my training and secure a full-time position as a Certified Medical Assistant. I now have a stable job with good pay and benefits, and I’m able to do meaningful work caring for others, which I’m truly passionate about.

I attended a SparkForce camp through Salem, which is how I learned about Virginia Career Works. I was paired with a career coach who supported me before and after the camp through a Work Experience (WEX), helping me access supportive services like work boots that were fully covered and that I can continue using in my job. Through the camp, I met my future employers at Graham-White Manufacturing Company and was hired full-time as an Assembler, gaining hands-on experience that helped me better understand my career path and secure a job similar to the work I trained for. Having a career coach to help with things like time sheets, resources, and job opportunities made a big difference, and I would definitely recommend the program to anyone trying to figure out their career path or needing support along the way.

I was looking for a more stable career and better opportunities for myself, which led me to Virginia Career Works. I learned about the WIOA program as a way to get support with training and saw it as a real opportunity to pursue my goal of earning a Class A CDL. The staff provided me with career coaching and guided me through every step of the process, and through the WIOA program I received full funding for my CDL training while they helped me stay on track and ensured I had what I needed to succeed. Because of this program, I was able to earn my CDL and now work full-time as a professional driver, giving me a steady income, more stability, and a clear path forward in my career. I would fully recommend Virginia Career Works to anyone wanting to improve their future.

I was finishing my GED and starting to think about my future career when I was referred to the Virginia Career Works WIOA Title I Youth Program through West Piedmont Adult and Career Education in Franklin County. With no prior work experience but an interest in hospitality, my career coach helped me build my resume, explore opportunities, and connect with employers in the field. With their support, I secured a Work Experience as a Front Desk Clerk at The Liberty Trust and continued receiving On-the-Job Training to develop the skills needed for the role, which ultimately led to a full-time position as a Guest Service Agent, where I gained hands-on experience, built confidence, and started a meaningful career in hospitality.

I came to Virginia Career Works after my mom enrolled me in the YouthBuild program, and my career coach referred me to it to help me build social, life, and construction skills while figuring out my future. The staff at BSI, especially Shawn and Charles, supported me with hands-on training like using a nail gun, along with guidance to improve my confidence, teamwork, and communication skills, and I also gained experience through volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, which helped me grow both personally and professionally. The program helped me become more confident, make friends, and discover an interest in plumbing as a potential career path, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in construction because you gain real skills, valuable experience, and strong support while giving back to the community.

Virginia Career Works came to my school and introduced me to the help they could provide with finding a job, which is how I learned about the program and its opportunities. The staff helped me identify what kind of work I was interested in, explained different career paths, and guided me through exploring my options. Through the program, I completed a work experience at The Liberty Trust, which led to regular employment there, and the experience taught me how to get a job, the steps needed to succeed in the workforce, and gave me confidence and real-world skills while also opening my eyes to hospitality as a career I hadn’t previously considered.

I reached out to Virginia Career Works because I needed help finding gainful employment and was enrolled in the WIOA Title I Adult program, where I worked with my career coach to identify a good career fit and chose CDL training. I successfully completed the program, earned my CDL license, and received resume assistance that helped me quickly secure a job as a professional truck driver with Cooke Trucking in Mt. Airy, NC. The staff were calm, patient, informative, and supportive throughout the entire process, and I felt they showed real empathy while remaining professional. This opportunity has made a major impact on my life, giving me a career I can grow in and the confidence that my future in trucking is full of potential.

I was interested in earning my Class A CDL but needed both training and financial support, which led me to Virginia Career Works through Star City Works and the Greater Roanoke Workforce. I was connected to the WIOA program, and my career coach guided me through the entire process, helping me access CDL training through CDS Roanoke in partnership with Virginia Western Community College. The instructors ensured I understood the fundamentals of commercial driving, including vehicle operation and backing maneuvers, while the staff remained knowledgeable, supportive, and helpful throughout the program. With the support of my career coach and the WIOA program, I successfully completed my CDL training and gained confidence in my new skills. The program gave me the tools and preparation needed to begin a career in commercial driving, and I am now ready for employment opportunities in the industry.