VA Launches Jobs Website For Federal Workers Hit By Layoffs

VIRGINIA — As significant numbers of federal workers face layoffs under the Trump administration's federal reductions in workforce initiatives, Virginia has unveiled hiring efforts and resources for federal workers.

The "Virginia Has Jobs" website announced Monday by Gov. Glenn Youngkin at Capital One Headquarters in Tysons lists job openings by region and public and private sector.

Virginia is one of the states with the most federal employees — 144,295 as of September 2017, according to Office of Personnel Management data.

"Today, Virginia stands as the top state for business, with tremendous job opportunities across the Commonwealth," said Youngkin in a statement. "'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."

Youngkin has faced pressure to provide centralized resources in Virginia for federal workers like his regional counterpart, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, has done. According to The Washington Post, Virginia's governor had expressed concerns for federal employees but said "the process that the federal government is going through is one that is needed because of the inefficiency and bloat of the federal government."

Federal agencies and departments have been making job cuts in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump. The effort to reduce the federal workforce comes from the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency. ABC News estimates thousands of federal employees have lost jobs in some agencies and has detailed that the job cuts have impacted various federal departments. An estimated 75,000 federal employees took the buyout offer. Cuts to federal agencies have had an impact on some government contractors.

The "Virginia Has Jobs" website seeks to connect job-seekers to positions in private business. In Northern Virginia, it highlights local governments and school districts as public sector employers hiring. Mayor private sector employers highlighted in Northern Virginia are Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, MITRE, Deloitte, Koniag and RELX.

The major private sector industries highlighted in Northern Virginia are computer systems design, management, science and technology consulting, property services, and company and enterprise management.

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Along with sharing job opportunities, the state's website shares resources of a Federal Worker Support Resource Package. Youngkin's office said the resources intend to help Virginia residents navigate job losses.

The resources include:

• Virginia Works: Virginia Works provides workforce development resources. Partner services are available in person through American Job Centers in Northern Virginia and across the state. Dedicated resource hubs are also offered at the Northern and Arlington/Alexandria regions of Virginia Career Works.
• Virtual Job Fairs: Virginia Works will host a virtual job fair on Wednesday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information will be shared on www.virginiaworks.gov.
• Commonwealth of Virginia Jobs: Public job opportunities at the Commonwealth of Virginia are provided at www.jobs.virginia.gov.
• Unemployment Insurance: Many federal employees may be eligible for unemployment benefits through the Virginia Employment Commission at vec.virginia.gov. Applicants can apply for benefits online using the identity verification tool ID.me, or through Customer Self-Service using a driver’s license or another form of government ID. Those who need more assistance can contact the Customer Contact Center at 1-866-832-2363 or visit an American Job Centers location to file initial claims filing and seek jobs.
• Health Care Coverage: Individuals who need to update their healthcare coverage options outside of open enrollment due to a change in employment status can visit www.enrollva.org.
• Earn a High-Demand Credential: The Virginia Community College System offers a variety of credentials along with programs for which Virginians may be eligible. Financial assistance may be available through programs like G3 and FastForward with taxpayer-funded degrees and credentials in high-demand fields. For more information, visit vccs.edu.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.