WorkForce Now: Transforming Our Region’s Workforce
615
Businesses served
since 2023
249
Work Based Learning
Partnerships Established
$20k
In Scholarships Awarded
How does the Chamber Support Workforce Readiness?
In an evolving business landscape, the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber is leading the way with Workforce NOW. This initiative, in collaboration with education and business stakeholders, aims to transform workforce development, guiding regional students toward enrollment, enlistment, or employment after education.
To develop and sustain partnerships to support and encourage workforce readiness and workforce development.
A workforce ready to meet the Fredericksburg region’s current and future employment needs.
Mock Interview Day
This interview day is designed to interview and provide feedback to high school and college students in attendance. Students will participate in real-world interviews, providing them with the chance to practice their skills and receive personalized advice on how to improve. Interviewers, who are leaders in various industries, volunteer their time to mentor and guide students through the process, helping to prepare them for future job interviews.
Education Forum
This forum focuses on one of the region’s most critical priorities: developing and retaining future workforce talent.
The forum will feature a panel discussion with superintendents from all five local school divisions, highlighting regional collaboration, workforce initiatives, and efforts to connect students with meaningful career pathways.
This event will provide business and community leaders with valuable insight into local education priorities and opportunities to strengthen partnerships that support a skilled and sustainable workforce for the future.
Intern Expo
The Expo offers a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with potential interns while allowing students to explore diverse career paths across various sectors. This event is particularly valuable for companies looking to attract interns in fields not typically associated with their industry, broadening their talent pool and fostering new opportunities for growth.
Student Voice
Student Voice is a group of high school and college students from Planning District 16, Germanna Community College, and UMW. They meet monthly with the Chamber to share insights on what the next generation seeks in employers, helping bridge the gap between schools and local businesses for future career success.
Mission: The Student Voice Subcommittee strives to increase student awareness of, preparedness for, and engagement in regional internship, externship, apprenticeship, and other career opportunities.
WorkForce Now News
Building Tomorrow's Workforce Today
Explore how the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber’s Workforce NOW initiative is connecting education, business, and community to prepare the next generation of talent. From internship programs and career expos to partnerships with local schools and employers, Workforce NOW is shaping a stronger, more skilled regional workforce.
Why Workforce Matters
Preparing the Future Workforce: Why Readiness Starts in High School
As industries evolve and labor demands shift, preparing students for life after high school has never been more critical. Whether young people choose to pursue college, start a career, or enlist in the military, one thing is clear—workforce readiness must begin early, and high school is the ideal launching point.
High school is a pivotal time to build both technical competencies and soft skills—like communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving—that employers value across all industries.
Learn More HERE
Get Involved
Businesses Needed
Learn More- Contact Carley Walker, Senior Vice President, Workforce & Community Development at [email protected]
Committees Driving Success
The success of Workforce NOW is attributed to the dedication of its Board of Directors and three specialized committees: the Workforce NOW Committee, Intern Expo Sub-Committee, and Student Voice Sub-Committee. These committees collaborate to plan and implement events and programming that align with the organization’s overarching goal of ensuring every regional student is equipped for success in the workforce.
Meet the Students You Support
WorkForce Now Scholarship Fund
Thank you to our WorkForce NOW Partners
